MIXED BAG OF CATCH ADVICE FOR SCOTTISH FLEET FOR 2025

Mixed bag of catch advice for Scottish fleet for 2025. There is a mixed bag of catch advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for 2025, with key fisheries such as North Sea cod and haddock facing a cut in quota, and other species like anglerfish (monkfish) and whiting recommend for an increase.

The change in advice compared with 2024 is for a 14.9% cut in North Sea cod and 25% cut for haddock, although big increases have been recommended for anglerfish and whiting, as well as Rockall haddock. A 7.1% increase is recommended for North Sea and west of Scotland saithe, and 14.2% for North Sea plaice. West of Scotland whiting has also been pencilled-in for an increase.

Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association (SWFPA), told Fish Focus:

“The sustainable harvesting by the catching sector is now showing dividends in stock sizes across a range of key commercial stocks.  The new analytical status of northern anglerfish is  particularly beneficial as it removes it from the annual ratcheting down due to the new approach on data poor stocks by ICES.

“We are critical of ICES regarding their headline advice for cod and the ultra-precautionary approach they suggest given the threat of mixing between the sub-stocks. We view this as a  complete over-reach in their authority given a number of other measures can be introduced to safeguard the out-take in the southern half of the North Sea.”