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A Ray of Sunshine
or
Skating on Thin Ice?
The West Coast Fishery Post-Brexit
Derek W Louden MA (Abdn), MA (Shef), MEI
Abbian House
Tower Street
Tain
Ross-shire
IV19 1DY
Tel: 01862 892734
Mob: 07876 774412
Email: [email protected]
2
1) Introduction In this Paper we will look at the changes in quotas for species of the West Coast implemented by the European
Commission over the period from 1998 to 2016. The paper will show the extent of the changes
involved and will provide a basis for looking at the issues which will emerge during the Brexit negotiations.
Our analysis will look at each species in turn and will consider the effect of the changes in UK quota over time
and also the effect on the other nations fishing West of Scotland.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockall_Bank_dispute
The diagram above shows the Exclusive Economic Zones belonging to the various players. These are the
starting off point for negotiations in Europe over who-gets-what. The numbers we consider below are for EU
waters. Unlike the North Sea where a 50:50 share between the UK and the rest of Europe would seem like a fair
allocation before taking account of the fishing grounds for individual species, the position West of Scotland is
altogether more complicated. Closer to home, both The Faroes and Ireland have significant interests and further
out into the Atlantic Iceland and eventually Greenland also become involved. The SFF would argue that the
UK’s share of EU waters in Zone VI should be 100%. Post-Brexit they would expect quota adjustments to
reflect this.
3
EU Fishing Areas
EU Fishing Areas The map above shows the fishing area divisions for the EU fisheries. For the West of Scotland we’re looking at
VIa and VIb waters which seem to be ours, Va which belongs to Icelands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) abd
Vb which belongs to the Faroes. We also fish in areas further out in the Atlantic in sections XII which is in
international waters and area XIV in Greenland’s EEZ.
Clearly any access UK boats have to Va and b and XIV waters would be eliminated post Brexit unless
reciprocal deals were struck with The Faroes and Greenland for access to our waters.
The area where the law of unintended consequences might prove valid here is in the Zones West of Ireland in
VIIb and c and VIIj and k where our fishing fleet anticipate the Irish still granting us access. Why the UK fleet
think the Irish would seek to reward those at least in part responsible for the Brexit debacle with continued
access is beyond my comprehension.
These scenarios will need to be worked through prior to Brexit discussions. It would not be impossible for a
larger share of the quotas in area VI along with exclusion from areas Va and Vb and VIIb and VIIc and VIIj and
VIIk and XII to result in a lower tonnage than we presently enjoy. The paper below will work on us exiting and
being chucked out of other nations’ areas. If the industry wants build more boats for a future based on seized
quota that’s up to them. I won’t be lending them the money.
4
2) Cod Quotas
Our first section will look at quotas for cod off the West Coast. The diagram below shows the quota
allocated to the UK over the period 1998 to 2016. We can see that the latest cut is the final one in a
series that has seen the quota cut from 5,960 Tonnes in 1999 to 45 Tonnes in 2016. Between 1999
and 2016, the UK West Coast Cod quota fell by 99.2%.
Fig 2.1 Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
In 2003, the quota allocations for the West Coast by Member State were as follows:
Fig 2.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2003
This EU quota covers the areas Vb, VIb, XII and XIV. Of these, only VIb is in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Vb belongs to the Faroes, XII to Greenland and XIV is managed by wider agreements under the umbrella of the North East Atlantic Fishery Commission which is based in London. This tends to suggest that telling all the other nations to clear off we’re having it all might not prove as advantageous as our fishing entrepreneurs seem to think.
-
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
27 , 1%
287 , 16%
3 , 0%
407 , 23% 1,084 ,
60%
West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Germany France Belgium Ireland UK
5
In 2016 we can see that the national shares of the different nations have remained broadly similar.
Belgium has had no quota since 2010. The UK has 61% of the quota. France has gained at Irekand’s
expense.
Fig 2.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Landings to the West Coast ports are also made by foreign vessels, in the case of Highland Council
Harbours, these vessels are mainly French and Spanish. The French fleet has also seen their quota
for Cod taken in the West of Scotland area fall. The diagram below shows this decline:
Fig 2.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The French fleet has suffered a 99.7% cut in their quota since 1999. This will inevitably have fed
through into reduced revenues from Landing Dues at the Highland Harbours affected.
1, 1% 12, 16%
16, 22% 45, 61%
West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Germany France Ireland UK
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
6
3) Haddock Quota
Haddock quotas in the West of Scotland area have also been savagely cut. The position for UK
vessels is shown in the diagram below:
Fig 3.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
In 1998 the UK fleet was allowed to catch 20,710 tonnes of Haddock off the West Coast of Scotland.
By 2016 this allocation had been cut to 7,390 tonnes. This represents a reduction of 64.3%.
In 2003 the allocation of Haddock quotas between member states was as follows:
Fig 3.2 Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK had 75% of the EU Haddock quota for areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV in 2003. Ireland had 15% with
France taking 10%. You could not imagine that there would be much upside for the UK if we wished
to maintain access to Vb, XII and XIV which are all outside our EEZ.
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
21 , 0% 860 , 10% 17 , 0%
1,321 , 15%
6,455 , 75%
West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Germany France Belgium Ireland UK
7
In 2016 we can see that the national shares of the different nations have remained broadly similar:
Fig 3.2a Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK continues to have the Lion’s share of the Haddock quota. There has been a clear transfer of
access rights to France from either the UK or Ireland. If there is a game of blame apportionment for
the collapse in the fishery, it is difficult to see how this could be passed to bureaucrats in Brussels.
Fig 3.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
France’s quota fell from 2,840 Tonnes in 1998 to 881 Tonnes in 2016, a drop of 69.0% over the
period.
37, 1%
881, 9% 18, 0%
1361, 14%
7390, 76%
West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Germany France Belgium Ireland UK
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
8
4) Whiting Quota
The first diagram in this section shows cuts in the UK fleet’s Whiting quota between 1998 and 2003:
Fig 4.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK’s Whiting quota fell from 5,805 Tonnes in 1998 to only 122 Tonnes in 2016. This represents a
fall of 97.9% over the period. This is another catastrophic decline.
Fig 4.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
In 2003 the UK had a 65% share of the West Coast Whiting Quota. This fishery also covers the areas
Vb, VI, XII and XIV. Ireland has quite a high quota for this species.
-
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
6, 0% 122, 6%
582, 29%
1290, 65%
West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Germany France Ireland UK
9
By 2016 France appears to have grown its share of a greatly declined fishery at the expense of the
UK.
Fig 4.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The decline in the French quota is shown in the diagram below:
Fig 4.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
France’s Whiting quota fell from 550 Tonnes in 1998 to only 26 Tonnes in 2016, a decline of 95.3% over the period.
1, 1% 26, 12%
64, 30% 122, 57%
West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Germany France Ireland UK
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
10
5) Hake Quota
We next look at the UK’s Hake quota and how this has been reduced over time:
Fig 5.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN In a sea of doom so-far we next turn to the Hake quota. Here we can see that the fishery has thrived with sharp increases in quota over recent years. From its nadir in 2001 of only 2,500 Tonnes output has risen to 11,125 Tonnes in 2016. This represents a rise of 345% over the period. Whether any fishery can sustain such a rapid run-up in quotas remains to be seen.
Fig 5.2 Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
In 2003 this fishery was dominated by France and Spain at the expense of the UK and Ireland. The
1% share of the fishery enjoyed by Ireland (114 Tonnes) was less than that allocated to Belgium. The
UK’s share was less than France or Spain. Clearly this is the kind of fishery where there would be a
Brexit bonus. There is no sensible justification for these allocations.
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000 T
on
ne
s
Year
UK West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
152, 1%
7512, 47%
98, 1% 4959, 31%
114, 1%
2998, 19%
West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Belgium France Holland
Spain Ireland UK
11
Fig 5.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
A minor re-shuffle of quotas took place between 2003 and 2016 with Ireland now having 5% of the
quota. The UK’s share fell to 18% over the period. The Quotas allocated to France and Spain are
shown in the diagrams below:
Fig 5.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The quota for France rose from 6,340T in 2001 to 28,178T in 2016, a rise of 344% over the period.
Fig 5.4
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Spain posted a rise from 4,100T in 2001 to 18,248T in 2016 an increase of 345% over the period.
569 , 1%
28,178 , 46%
367 , 1%
18,248 , 29%
3,415 , 5%
11,125 , 18%
West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Belgium France Holland
Spain Ireland UK
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
0 2000 4000 6000 8000
10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
To
nn
es
Year
Spain West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
12
6) Monkfish
The next species we will look at is Monkfish. The chart below shows how the UK’s Quota declined
from 1998 to 2004. Since then the quota has recovered. Overall, the fishery has declined from 2,650
Tonnes in 1998 to 1,962 Tonnes in 2016 a fall of 26.0% during the period.
Fig 6.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The shares of the various nations participating in this fishery in 2003 are shown below:
Fig 6.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This is another quota where the French had been given a disproportionate share of the fishery. How
has this fishery performed over time? Let’s have a look at the allocation between the nations at the
present time.
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
114, 4% 130, 4% 122, 4%
1,407, 44%
318, 10%
110, 3%
978, 31%
West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Belgium Germany Spain France
Ireland Holland UK
13
Fig 6.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The largest share of this fishery continues to be held by France rather than the UK. Whilst there is a
benefit in landing and harbour dues and in the sale of fuel and provisions to the boats the greater
part of the value of the fish makes no contribution to the country where they are caught. The benefit
is to the country doing the catching.
Fig 6.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
France has seen its share of the Monkfish catch increase from 1,407 Tonnes in 2003 to 2,818 Tonnes
in 2016, a rise of 100% over the period.
229, 4% 262, 4%
245, 4%
2818, 44% 638, 10%
221, 3%
1962, 31%
West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Belgium Germany Spain France
Ireland Holland UK
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
14
7) Herring
The change in the UK quota for herring over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 7.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
We can see that the herring fishery has also suffered a serious decline. A late quota was set in 2016
at only 2,520 Tonnes for areas Vb, VIaN and VIb. This is a fall from 46,360 Tonnes in 1998 and
represents a reduction of 94.6% over the period. A further reduction is proposed for 2017.
Fig 7.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
We can see from the diagram above that in 2003 the UK held 61% of the quota for herring to the
west of Scotland. The Irish held a 15% share with Germany and the Netherlands each having 11%.
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000 T
on
ne
s
Year
UK West Coast Herring Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
3280, 11%
621, 2% 4432, 15% 3280, 11%
17728, 61%
West Coast Herring Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Germany France Ireland Holland UK
15
In 2016, the percentages remained the same, demonstrating that the problem in the fishery was being
evenly shared between the various countires.
Fig 7.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK holds 61% of the quota for herring to the west of Scotland. If the stock is being overfished
blame apportionment to Brussels or the other nations looks unlikely to be justified. The problem
here may be at least in part due to climate change.
8) Horse Mackerel
The change in the UK quota for Horse Mackerel over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 8.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK’s Horse Mackerel quota has fallen from 30,700 Tonnes per annum to 9,800 Tonnes in 2016, a
fall of 68.1% over the period. This fishery has clearly declined over the period studied although the
current quota is slightly higher than that for the year before.
3280, 11%
621, 2% 4432, 15% 3280, 11%
17728, 61%
West Coast Herring Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Germany France Ireland Holland UK
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
16
Fig 8.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
In 2003 the UK held 10% of the quota for Horse Mackerel off the West Coast. The Netherlands with
34% of the quota and Ireland with 24% each held bigger shares of this fishery than the UK.
Fig 8.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Some shuffling around of quota took place between 2003 and 2016 which has resulted in the
Netherlands, France and the UK losing quota and Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany showing
gains.
The quota here is stated for the area Vb, VI, VII, VIIIa,b,d,e, XII, XIV which includes UK EEZ waters as
well as waters belonging to Ireland, Greenland, the Faroes, France and Spain as well as international
waters in the deep Atlantic. Denmark, Germany and particularly the Netherlands seem to be gaining
in particular at the expense of the UK and France.
11796, 9%
9428, 7% 12875, 10% 6230, 5%
30693, 24%
0, 0%
44981, 34%
1246, 1% 12751, 10%
West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Denmark Germany Spain France Ireland
Sweden Holland Portugal UK
10415, 10%
8126, 8% 11084, 10% 4183, 4%
27064, 26%
675, 1% 32606, 31%
1068, 1%
9800, 9%
West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Denmark Germany Spain France Ireland
Sweden Holland Portugal UK
17
The quota allocated to Ireland is shown in the chart below:
Fig 8.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Ireland saw its quota decline from 73,900 Tonnes in 1998 to only 27,064 Tonnes in 2016, a decline of
63.4% over the period. The current year saw the quota rise from the low point reached in 2015.
Fig 8.4
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The Netherlands saw its quota decline from 108,300 Tonnes in 1998 to only 32,606 Tonnes in 2016,
a decline of 69.9% over the period. The current year saw the quota rise from the low point reached
in 2015.
It is, I think, pretty unclear as to why the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany have such high quotas
in comparison to France and in particular the UK. Brexit would I think mean a remodelling of this
quota.
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
To
nn
es
Year
Ireland West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
To
nn
es
Year
Netherlands West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
18
9) Mackerel
The change in the UK quota for Mackerel for fishing areas IIa, Vb, VI, VII, VIIIa,b,d,e, XII and XIV over
the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 9.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The Mackerel quota is higher today than it was in 1998 suggesting a fishery that is being pursued
sustainably. Mackerel quota increased from 179,500 Tonnes in 1998 to a peak of 288,566 Tonnes in
2014 since when it has declined to 208,557 in 2016. The increase between 2013 and 2014 was very
high and it looks as if this partial reverse since then reflects a need to maintain the sustainable
nature of this fishery.
Fig 9.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK and Ireland dominated this fishery with stakes of 59% and 21% respectively in 2003.
Germany, France the Netherlands and Spain held the remainder of the quota.
Is this still the case in 2016?
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
19890, 7%
13261, 4% 66300, 21% 20, 0% 29006, 9%
182331, 59%
West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Germany France Ireland Others Holland UK
19
Fig 9.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
We can see that there was only a marginal change in the UK’s share of the quota between 2003 and
2016.
Fig 9.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Ireland’s quota pattern over the same period follows that of the UK. There was a rapid jump in quota
between 2013 and 2014 which has fallen back over the last two years. Overall, between 1998 and
2016 the Irish Mackerel quota rose from 65,300 Tonnes to 75,837 Tonnes, a modest increase of
16.1% over the period.
22751, 7%
15169, 4% 75837, 21% 2095, 1% 33178, 9%
208557, 58%
West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Germany France Ireland Others Holland UK
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
To
nn
es
Year
Ireland West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
20
10) Redfish
The change in the UK quota for Redfish in fishing areas V, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to
2016 is shown below:
Fig 10.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK has a paltry share of the Redfish TAC with our quota falling from 35 Tonnes in year 2000 to
only 2 Tonnes today. How are the other nations being catered for?
Fig 10.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK’s share of the Redfish TAC gives us a quota of less than 1% for this fish type. The area given
excludes our area VI and so area V is in Faroese and Icelandic waters with area XIV under the control
of Greenland. Area XII is in international waters under the control of the North East Atlantic Fisheries
Commission. Germany had 68% of the quota in 2003, Poland had 14% and Spain 12%. Since all these
areas lie in someone else’s EEZ or in international waters there isn’t a likely Brexit bonus here.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
11100, 68%
1949, 12%
1037, 6%
2330, 14% 27, 0%
West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 2003
Germany Spain France Poland UK
21
Fig 10.2a
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
By 2016 Germany’s share had diminished slightly as quota was granted to Portugal, Estonia and
Latvia.
Fig 10.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Germany has the Lion’s share of the quota for Redfish. The quota over the years is shown in the
chart above. The fishery has declined from a quota of 14,022 Tonnes in 2000 to only 802 Tonnes in
2016. This represents a fall of 94.3% over the period. Clearly this isn’t a fishery being prosecuted
sustainably.
802, 61%
141, 11% 75, 6%
72, 5% 2, 0% 168, 13%
39, 3%
14, 1%
West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Germany Spain France Poland
UK Portugal Estonia Latvia
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
To
nn
es
Year
Germany West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
22
11) Roundnose Grenadier
The change in the UK quota for Roundnose Grenadiers in fishing areas V, Vb, VI, VII and XIV over the
period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 11.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The UK has enjoyed a small stake in this fishery but in 2016 this has been closed to all but by-catch
fisheries.
Fig 11.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Prior to the closure of this fishery, the shares allocated to the various Member States are shown in
the chart above. Spain and France had 80% of the fishery between them. This quota regime does
cover the UK’s area VI EEZ and Ireland’s area VII EEZ areas. This allocation is for a species not usually
found on dinner plates outside of France and Spain. Were Brexit to change the allocation, we’d still
have to sell the fish in the EU market. There is no home market for this fish.
0
50
100
150
200
250
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016
81, 1%
2682, 35% 42, 1%
3423, 45% 32, 0% 265, 3% 59, 1%
857, 11%
205, 3%
West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2015
Lithuania Spain Latvia France Germany
Ireland Estonia Poland UK
23
The share of the TAC given to the French is shown in the chart below:
Fig 11.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
France had a quota over sixteen times as high as the UK quota for this species in 2015. The
unsustainable nature of the fishery has been a great leveller with the quota now equalised at zero
for both nations.
Fig 11.4
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Spain’s quota was thirteen times as high as the UK’s in 2015. They’re equal now in 2016.
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
To
nn
es
Year
Spain West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016
24
12) Skates and Rays
The change in the UK quota for Skates and Rays in fishing areas VIa,b and VIIa-c,e-k over the period
from 2010 to 2016 is shown below. We can see that the fishery has been in decline. The quota has
fallen from 3,460 Tonnes in 2010 to only 2,076 Tonnes in 2016, a fall of 40.0% in seven years.
Fig 12.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The allocation of quota amongst the nations shows that Ireland is clearly losing out to France in what
seems a very unfair allocation of this fishery.
Fig 12.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Skates & Rays Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016
725, 9%
876, 11% 3255, 40%
1048, 13% 2076, 26%
52, 1%
West Coast Skates & Rays Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Belgium Spain France Ireland UK Others
25
13) Saithe
The change in the UK quota for Saithe in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below
Fig 13.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This fishery has been subject to a gradual decline in recent years falling from 3,425 Tonnes in 1998
to 2,987 Tonnes in 2016 a fall of 12.8% over the period.
Fig 13.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The areas covered by this fishery are in the UK’s EEZ but also cover Faroese waters, Greenland’s EEZ
and International waters governed by the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. France has a
very large share of the fishery which again seems to be at the expense of Ireland. We seem to have
a fair share of this fishery. France has too much and Ireland too little. There isn’t a Brexit upside for
us here.
3,4
25
3,1
25
3,0
80
3,2
55
3,2
11
3,0
29
3,4
88
3,7
92
3,5
92
3,5
92
3,7
08
3,7
08
3,4
43
3,3
17
3,1
54
3,2
54
3,1
28
3,0
22
2,9
87
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000 T
on
ne
s
Year
UK West Coast Saithe Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
236, 4%
2341, 39%
384, 7%
2987, 50%
West Coast Saithe Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Germany France Ireland UK
26
Fig 13.3
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
Since a peak in 2004 of 14,307 Tonnes France’s quota for Saithe has fallen to 2,341 in 2016. This
fishery hasn’t been pursued in a sustainable manner. The decline is 83.6% over this timeframe.
14) Blue Whiting
The change in the UK quota for Blue Whiting in fishing areas I-VIII and XII-XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below
Fig 14.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The Fishing area for this stock has seen some volatility over this time period. From 110,678 Tonnes in
2005 a rapid decline saw the quota fall to 1,990 Tonnes in 2011, a fall of 98.2% over the period.
Since then things have recovered somewhat with the quota now at 41,137 in 2016.
How this stock is divided up between the nation states is shown on the following page.
63
90
36
10
32
05
48
35
94
17
12
42
4
14
30
7
97
74
79
30
79
30
90
03
90
03
65
56
53
93
38
78
48
05
36
47
26
68
23
41
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Saithe Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
-
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Blue Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
27
Fig 14.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This pelagic fishery has seen the cake cut into many slices. The UK at 20% has the largest slice of the
EU TAC. Next comes the Netherlands with 18%, Denmark with 15%, Spain 13%, Ireland 12%, France
11%, Germany 6%, Sweden 4% and Portugal 1%. It includes acreage in all these countries EEZ’s but
the allocation clearly favours the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain at the expense of the UK and
Ireland.
Fig 14.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The Netherlands also saw a precipitous decline in quota from 119,216 Tonnes in 2005 to only 1,869
Tonnes in 2011. This represents a fall of 98.4% over the period. Since then, as for other nations the
quota has recovered to 38,659 Tonnes in 2016.
31704, 15% 12327,
6%
26878, 13%
22063, 11% 24550,
12% 38659, 18%
2497, 1%
7842, 4% 41137, 20%
West Coast Blue Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Denmark Germany Spain France Ireland
Holland Portugal Sweden UK
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
To
nn
es
Year
Netherlands West Coast Blue Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
28
15) Pollack
The change in the UK quota for Pollack in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 15.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This fishery is a minor one for the UK and indeed for the EU. The UK’s quota has fallen over time
from 400 Tonnes in 1998 to 145 Tonnes in 2011. It has been unchanged from 2011 to 2016.
Fig 15.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This fishery is divided between three nations. France appears to be benefiting at the expense of the
UK. As before, the inclusion of Faroese area Vb and international area XII muddy the waters. As a
minor fishery, we’ll leave it there.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450 T
on
nes
Year
UK West Coast Pollack Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
190, 49%
56, 14%
145, 37%
West Coast Pollack Quota (Tonnes) 2016
France Ireland UK
29
16) Plaice
The change in the UK quota for Plaice in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 16.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
We can see that this fishery has declined over the period from 1998 to 2016. At the start of the
period the UK quota was 1,450 Tonnes and by the end it was 388 Tonnes, a decline of 73.2%.
The allocation of the quota between nations was as follows:
Fig 16.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
We can see that the UK has a 59% share of the EU TAC in 2016. Ireland has 40% and France 9%. The
areas covered include Faroese Vb, International XII and Greenland XIV waters so what might happen
in the event of Brexit might take some time to be determined.
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600 T
on
nes
Year
UK West Coast Plaice Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
9, 1%
261, 40%
388, 59%
West Coast Plaice Quota (Tonnes) 2016
France Ireland UK
30
17) Sole
The change in the UK quota for Sole in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 17.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This is a very minor fishery on the West Coast which has declined over the period of this review.
Fig 17.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This fishery is shared shared by Ireland and the UK in the ratio shown above.
30 30 30 30
25
21
17 14 14 14 14 14
12 12 12 11 11 11 11
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35 T
on
nes
Year
UK West Coast Sole Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
46
11
West Coast Sole Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Ireland UK
31
18) Megrim
The change in the UK quota for Megrim in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 18.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
The Megrim fishery has seen a decline in quota followed by a recovery over the period from 1998
when the UK quota was 1,520 Tonnes to a low of 813 Tonnes in 2008/09 to a end point of 1,635
Tonnes in 2016. This last year saw a big jump in quota, time will tell if this new level can be
sustained.
Fig 18.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
This fishery is divided up between four Member States of the European Union. France has the
largest share with 44% of the fishery, next comes the UK with 32%, Ireland has 13% and Spain takes
the remaining 11%.
- 200 400 600 800
1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Megrim Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
592, 11%
2312, 44% 675, 13%
1635, 32%
West Coast Megrim Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Spain France Ireland UK
32
Fig 18.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
France has also seen a decline in its quota followed by a recovery to leave it just above the level at
which it started off.
19) Norway Lobster
The change in the UK quota for Norway Lobster in fishing areas Vb and VI over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:
Fig 19.1
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
We can see that the Norway Lobster quota has been up and down a bit with quite large adjustments
from year to year. The quota at the end of the period is higher than that at the start which suggests
lobster is being fished sustainably. Quota has risen from 12,305 in 1998 to 16,134 in 2016, a rise of
31.1% over the period.
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
To
nn
es
Year
France West Coast Megrim Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
To
nn
es
Year
UK West Coast Norway Lobster Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016
33
Fig 19.2
Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN
We can see that no-one is getting many of our lobster. The UK has a 98% of this EU quota in areas Vb
belonging to the Faroes and VI which is in the UK’s EEZ.
5) Shares of EU Quota – who gets what
Fig 5.1
The chart above shows that the UK’s share of EU quota varies from species to species. There are
some where our share of the waters has earned us a huge share. These include Norway Lobster
(97.64%) and Haddock (76.29%). There are some that are more in keeping with our geographical
share such as Cod (60.81%), Herring (60.43%), Plaice (58.97%), Mackerel (58.32%) and Whiting
(57.28%). There are quotas which might be explained by the geographical location of the fish such as
Redfish (0.15%) and Common Sole (19.30%). Having said this, our quota for many stocks is too low –
for Megrim (31.36%), Monkfish (30.78%) Skates and Rays (25.85%) for Blue Whiting (19.81%), Hake
(17.97%), and for Horse Mackerel (9.33%).
What we require to decide is whether to give up tariff free access to European Markets to gain the
extra tonnage that our boats could justifiably claim they should have access to. We need to be clear
that the loss of free access is inevitable if we seize quota from French and Spanish vessels.
33, 0%
134, 1%
223, 1%
16134, 98%
West Coast Norway Lobster Quota (Tonnes) 2016
Spain France Ireland UK
97
.64
%
76
.29
%
60
.81
%
60
.43
%
58
.97
%
58
.32
%
57
.28
%
50
.22
%
31
.36
%
30
.78
%
25
.85
%
19
.81
%
19
.30
%
17
.97
%
9.3
3%
0.1
5%
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
UK's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016
34
Fig 5.2
There is only one fishery where the Irish hold a large stake and that is one of the smallest we looked
at, that for Common Sole. Much of Ireland’s entitlement has been given up to France and Spain as
we shall see in the following charts. We hope no-one suggests that Ireland should be forced to give
up quota post Brexit. There seems no case to be made for such a re-allocation from the figures
above.
Fig 5.2
France has been the major beneficiary of the EU Fishery stitch-up since our accession to the EU.
When historians look at the reasons for the failure of the UK to buy in to the EU project a share of
the blame will lie with the aider moi-même approach to the West Coast fishery adopted by France.
Hake, Megrim, Monkfish, Skate/Rays and Saithe quotas are excessive at Ireland and the UK’s
expense.
80
.7%
39
.7%
30
.1%
25
.8%
21
.6%
21
.2%
15
.1%
14
.1%
13
.1%
13
.0%
11
.8%
10
.0%
6.5
%
5.5
%
1.4
%
0.0
%
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
Co
mm
on
So
le
Pla
ice
Wh
itin
g
Ho
rse
Mac
kere
l
Co
d
Mac
kere
l
Her
rin
g
Had
do
ck
Skat
e/R
ays
Meg
rim
Blu
e W
hit
ing
Mo
nkf
ish
Sait
he
Hak
e
No
rway
Lo
bst
er
Red
fish
Ireland's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016
45
.52
%
44
.34
%
44
.20
%
40
.53
%
39
.36
%
16
.22
%
12
.21
%
10
.62
%
9.0
9%
5.7
1%
4.2
4%
3.9
8%
2.1
1%
1.3
7%
0.8
1%
0.0
0%
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0%
100.0%
France's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016
35
Fig 5.3
Spain has also been a beneficiary of the EU Fishery stitch-up but to a lesser extent than France. The
Spanish quota for Hake will be the primary target for our fishing fleet post Brexit.
Fig 5.4
Source: Scottish Fishery Statistics 2015, P15: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00506391.pdf All numbers in £000’s
We can see from the diagram above that Scottish boats don’t catch fish in area Va or b, XII or XIV
and indeed take very little from area VIb. Area IIa belonging to Norway is also free of Scottish boats.
We do take fish from area VII which is shared with other nations, especially Ireland.
29
.48
%
12
.94
%
11
.35
%
10
.91
%
10
.74
%
10
.55
%
3.8
4%
0.2
0%
0.0
1%
0.0
0%
0.0
0%
0.0
0%
0.0
0%
0.0
0%
0.0
0%
0.0
0%
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
Spain's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016
36
European Information tends to suggest that the other European nations are fishing in area VIa as
well:
Landings by the EU fleet by FAO fishing division (sub-region), highlighting areas contributing more than 2% to
the total landings in weight in 2014 Source: EXPERT WORKING GROUP REPORT - REPORT TO THE STECF EXPERT WORKING GROUP OF THE 2016 ANNUAL ECONOMIC REPORT ON THE EU FISHING FLEET EWG-16-03 & 16-07 ISPRA, ITALY, 25-29 APRIL & DUBLIN, IRELAND, 6-10 JUNE 2016
https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=499da589-8231-4b53-9e68-
83c6b7a3d08c&groupId=43805
The data above and below for all EU boats shows foreign vessels are targeting area VIa in the UK’s
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). They aren’t fishing in IIa, Va, Vb, VIb, XII or XIV either.
37
Data source: data submissions under the DCF 2016 Fleet Economic (MARE/A3/AC(2016)
Landings by the EU fleet by FAO fishing division (sub-region), highlighting areas contributing more than 2% to
the total landings in value in 2014 Source: EXPERT WORKING GROUP REPORT - REPORT TO THE STECF EXPERT WORKING GROUP OF THE 2016 ANNUAL ECONOMIC REPORT ON THE EU FISHING FLEET EWG-16-03 & 16-07 ISPRA, ITALY, 25-29 APRIL & DUBLIN, IRELAND, 6-10 JUNE 2016
https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=499da589-8231-4b53-9e68-
83c6b7a3d08c&groupId=43805
We have seen in the two maps above that foreign vessels target fish in the UK’s Exclusive Economic
Zone. We have a number of options here:
Take the quota off them and give it to the Scottish boats
Take the quota off them and sell it to the Scottish boats
Leave them with quota but make them register vessels in Scotland & charge them to use the quota
Leave them with the quota and don’t make them re-register or pay to use the quota
38
Value of Annual Quota in 2015 Prices £’s
BE DK DE ES FR IR NL PO SU UK
Megrim £ - £ - £ - £ 1,401,264 £ 5,472,504 £ 1,597,725 £ - £ - £ - £ 3,870,045
Norway Lobster £ - £ - £ - £ 348,546 £ 1,415,308 £ 2,355,326 £ - £ - £ - £170,407,308
Haddock £ 24,516 £ - £ 50,394 £ - £ 1,199,922 £ 1,853,682 £ - £ - £ - £ 10,065,180
Monkfish £ 554,180 £ - £ 634,040 £ 592,900 £ 6,819,560 £ 1,543,960 £ 534,820 £ - £ - £ 4,748,040
Whiting £ - £ - £ 1,071 £ - £ 27,846 £ 68,544 £ - £ - £ - £ 130,662
Skate/Rays £ 605,375 £ - £ 8,350 £ 731,460 £ 2,717,925 £ 875,080 £ 2,505 £ - £ - £ 1,733,460
Cod £ - £ - £ 1,967 £ - £ 23,604 £ 31,472 £ - £ - £ - £ 88,515
Plaice £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 6,327 £ 183,483 £ - £ - £ - £ 272,764
Herring £ - £ - £ 164,964 £ - £ 31,152 £ 223,020 £ 164,964 £ - £ - £ 892,080
Blue Whiting £ - £ 5,199,456 £ 2,021,628 £ ,407,992 £ 3,618,332 £ 4,026,200 £ 6,340,076 £ 409,508 £1,286,088 £ 6,746,468
Hake £ 1,255,783 £ - £ - £40,273,336 £62,188,846 £ 7,536,905 £ 809,969 £ - £ - £ 24,552,875
Saithe £ - £ - £ 202,960 £ - £ 2,013,260 £ 330,240 £ - £ - £ - £ 2,568,820
Horse Mackerel £ - £ 7,259,255 £ 5,663,822 £ 7,725,548 £ 2,915,551 £18,863,608 £ 22,726,382 £ - £ 470,475 £ 6,830,600
Mackerel £ - £ - £14,446,885 £ 15,240 £ 9,632,315 £48,156,495 £ 21,068,030 £ 1,017,270 £ 120,015 £132,433,695
Common Sole £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 230,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 55,000
Redfish £ - £ - £ 188,470 £ 33,135 £ 17,625 £ - £ - £ 16,920 £ - £ 470
TOTAL £ 2,439,854 £ 12,458,711 £23,384,551 £55,529,421 £98,100,077 £87,875,740 £ 51,646,746 £ 1,443,698 £1,876,578 £365,395,982
0.35% 1.78% 3.34% 7.92% 13.99% 12.53% 7.37% 0.21% 0.27% 52.11%
Value of Landings: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00506391.pdf
£700,151,358
Note: Quota given to Portugal, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania couldn’t be fitted onto this table so the percentages will total slightly less than 100%.
The above table shows the extent to which the EU fishing fleet has taken advantage of the UK’s weak bargaining position on accession to extract a very high
level of rent from the West Coast fishery. France, Spain, The Netherlands and Germany between them take nearly £229 Million pounds worth of fish from
these waters some in area VI in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone and some perhaps further out in area XII in international waters. It will be important to
determine where exactly the EU’s fleet is catching their fish. If it is in area VI then we can make a claim. If area VI is fished by our fleet and the area further
out by the French and Spanish etc. then there isn’t the same automatic right to take quota away from French, Spanish, Dutch and German boats. The North
East Atlantic Fishery Commission (NEAFC) governs this province, we’d be sensible to start discussions with them on what we propose.
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Conclusions
Scottish fishermen are expecting a bonanza West of Scotland as a result of Brexit
Our study has shown that prima facie the West Coast fishery has quota which is allocated unfairly
Maps above show that the West Coast fishery pursued by the Scottish fleet is mainly in area VIa
EU boats also pursue their West Coast fishery in area VIa, part of the UK’s EEZ
We don’t pursue the fishery well out into the Atlantic in areas VIb and XII.
We don’t pursue a fishery in Norwegian waters in area IIa
We don’t pursue a fishery in Icelandic area Va
We don’t pursue a fishery in Faroese waters area Vb
We don’t pursue a fishery off Greenland in area XIV
Nor do our European neighbours
Scottish boats catch £32m of fish from Ireland’s Area VII
Ireland lands £88m of fish from Scotland’s area VIa
France lands £98m of fish from Scotland’s area VIa
Spain lands £55m of fish from Scotland’s area VIa
The Netherlands lands £51m from Scotland’s area VIa
A high proportion of these landings will be sold to Europe
Our fishermen expect us to strip the quota from the foreign vessels and give it to them
They also expect us to keep tariff free access to the EU’s Single Market
Good Luck!