Fishing boats set to be banned from Clyde ‘in bid to boost fish stocks’
The Scottish Government says it wants to replenish cod numbers "for the longer term"
Fishing boats will be barred from dredging, trawling and creeling for shellfish in the Clyde for nearly three months this spring.
The Scottish Government announced the move in a bid to boost recovery of fish stocks - particularly cod.
It will remove customary exemptions to a seasonal ban on white fish catches in the area that has been in place for 20 years.
A statement from Marine Scotland said closure of the Firth of Clyde to fishers between February 14 and April 30 will continue in 2022 and 2023.
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It read: “Since its introduction, the Scottish Statutory Instrument for the annual closure of the spawning ground has included exemptions to allow Nephrops trawlers, creels and scallop dredgers to continue to use the area, due to the low numbers of cod that they catch,” the statement says.
“However, despite the ongoing seasonal closure, the stock has shown little sign of recovery so the Scottish Government has removed these exemptions to maximise numbers.
“This represents a change to our previous position – for sound environmental and biodiversity reasons.”
Industry leaders have condemned the ban, which they say will have a serious impact on crews dependent on the area for their livelihoods.
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said the news was devastating for fishers.
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She said: “Friday’s announcement by the Scottish Government will be devastating news for those who make their living fishing in the Clyde and have limited or no other options during the period of closure.
“For several years we have been constructively engaged with the Scottish Government on interactions between fisheries and marine conservation, and there are good examples where this approach has served all parties well and has driven the desired outcomes.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “During spawning, cod are extremely vulnerable to any activity impacting the seabed and limiting physical disturbance during the spawning period will minimise disruption to the spawning environment and promote cod reproduction.
“We appreciate this will have a short-term impact on local fishers, but taking action now to try to replenish the stock for the longer term is ultimately beneficial for fishing as well.”
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