 The scheme is the latest to try to conserve stocks |
A new scheme to protect North Sea cod stocks with the offer of more days at sea is to be tested using on-board observers. Skippers will be given the extra days if the observers find that cod is less than 5% of the total catch on the trip.
The pilot scheme is being funded by the Scottish Government.
It has been jointly developed with the industry, aimed at testing how effective such incentives are in conserving cod stocks.
Three independent observers will be checking catches on about a dozen Scottish fishing boats.
'Reward skippers'
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "The new Scottish Government pledged at the outset a fresh start for Scotland's fisheries. That means looking at fresh ideas to assist the recovery of North Sea cod stocks.
"This scheme will reward Scottish skippers who are able to use their expertise to avoid cod. It is essential to harness the skill and knowledge of fishermen in order to allow other forms of fishing with minimal by-catches of cod."
The observer pilot has been worked up with the industry over the past two months.
Mr Lochhead added: "It builds on the launch of real-time area closures scheme also jointly developed with the industry, whereby fishermen can temporarily avoid fishing in areas with high concentrations of small cod."
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