The Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) is urging the UK and Scottish governments to reject advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which calls for a zero catch of cod in 2026.
They say such a ban would devastate skippers and crews who depend on mixed fisheries, where cod is always part of the catch. Without cod quotas, many boats could be forced to tie up and stop fishing altogether.
“Questionable assumptions”
Daniel Lawson, executive officer at the SFA, said the ICES advice is based on “highly questionable assumptions”. He called for “a cautious and evidence-based approach” that balances protection of the cod stock with survival of fishing communities.
The SFA is also lobbying EU and Norwegian ministers, warning that deeper quota cuts would not help the cod recover. Instead, they argue, it would only cripple the fleet while leaving scientific doubts unresolved.
SFA alternative plan
The association has tabled a package of measures:
- More spawning ground closures and real-time bans to protect young cod.
- A voluntary 30% cut in haddock and whiting quotas to lower cod bycatch.
- Doubling the scientific quota for cod research, funded partly by industry.
- New rules to stop quotas from swinging wildly year to year.
Cod supports about £310 million in fishing opportunities in Scotland, according to the SFA. They warn that if drastic cuts are implemented, North Sea crews face job losses, shutdowns, and, in some cases, bankruptcy.