Seven fishing nations have agreed to suspend cod fishing on Skerra Bank, an offshore fishing ground in the North Atlantic, for three years in an effort to allow badly depleted stocks to recover. The agreement, reached after four days of talks under the North Atlantic Fisheries Commission, is one of the most significant closures of its kind in recent decades.
Scientific surveys carried out by the commission's own research vessels found that the number of adult cod on the bank had fallen to its lowest level since records began, and that very few young fish were surviving to breeding age. Scientists had warned that without a pause the stock could collapse altogether.
Support for fishing communities
Under the deal, boats will still be able to fish for other species on the bank, such as haddock and herring, but must use nets designed to let cod escape and carry independent observers on a share of trips. A fund of €85 million, paid into by the member countries, will compensate crews and help some vessels switch to other fisheries.
The decision has been felt in Wrenhaven, where around a dozen boats from Old Quay have fished the bank in winter. Declan Rudd, who skippers a 24-metre trawler and represents the local fishermen's association, said crews were angry but understood the reasoning.
Nobody wants to tie up a boat. But if we fish the last of the cod, there will be nothing for our sons and daughters to tie up for.
The commission's chief scientist, Dr Helga Brandt, said similar pauses elsewhere had shown that cod can rebound, though recovery often takes longer than three years. Stocks will be reviewed each year, and the pause could be shortened if numbers improve quickly or extended if they do not.
Environmental groups welcomed the agreement but said it should have come sooner. The Old Quay fish auction expects prices for cod to rise this winter and says buyers are already asking about alternatives such as hake and pollock caught closer to shore.
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