Having seen the international shellfish market eradicated by COVID-19, Scottish inshore fishers that usually target these fisheries have been granted access to alternative catching opportunities worth up to GBP 2 million (USD 2.5 million, EUR 2.2 million).
Recognizing that its seafood fishing sector has been one of the industries hardest-hit by the pandemic – and that it is causing significant challenges for families, businesses, and local communities in remote rural and island communities – the Scottish government has established a new package that gives vessels additional fish quotas in the North Sea and west coast of Scotland.
The additional quotas comprise 800 metric tons (MT) of mackerel, with 500 MT in the North Sea and 300 MT in the west coast, North Sea haddock (120 MT), whiting (260 MT), saithe (120 MT), lemon sole (50 MT), ling (30 MT), and skates and rays (20 MT), and west coast anglerfish (15 MT), pollock (25 MT), ling (50 MT), and skates and rays (25 MT).
Any unused quota will be allocated later in the year to producer organizations.
“Fishing in our inshore waters for shellfish is a longstanding and lucrative part of our wider fishing industry but the loss of markets practically overnight due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many businesses tying up their vessels,” Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said. “With continued uncertainty regarding future market access and demand, this additional GBP 2 million of potential fishing opportunities will provide scope for some vessels to diversify, and help families and businesses in our coastal communities. It also has the potential to ensure that more people in the UK get to enjoy locally and sustainably caught fish from our waters and I hope retailers will play their part in making that happen.”
Scottish government has already provided GBP 22.5 million (USD 27.9 million, EUR 25.1 million) in funds to support the country’s seafood industry during the coronavirus crisis.
According to trade body Seafood Scotland, 80 percent of Scottish seafood and shellfish was exported before the pandemic, with the remainder going to the U.K. foodservice and retail sectors.
Photo courtesy of Gill Kennett/Shutterstock
