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Newbury MP’s initiative reduces the number of discarded fish





Last year’s ‘Catch Quota’ trial was introduced to reduce discards of North Sea cod and for sole in the Western Channel and results show that those participating in the trail have been successful in reducing discards of both stocks to just 0.2 per cent.
In 2010, the average discard rates were 38 per cent for North Sea cod trawlers and 28 per cent for Western Channel sole beam trawlers.
Discarding perfectly good fish can happen for many different reasons. For example, when fishermen have hit their quota or when they catch a fish they have no quota for.
Commenting on the trials, Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said: “This is a tremendous result and I applaud the contribution which fishermen have made to this success.
“I am very pleased that more fishermen have joined the 2012 catch quota scheme and I believe that we can build on the success of last year.
“I want to continue to work with industry to develop innovative solutions, such as the Catch Quota scheme, which reduce unwanted catches and work towards the elimination of discards. In doing so I want to ensure the fishing industry remains viable and profitable.”
The scheme is being carried out by the Marine Management Organisation on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.



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