Key whitefish stocks in Scotland’s waters have expanded dramatically over the past decade, according to a new study.
NAFC Marine Centre UHI, in Shetland, said some stocks – such as cod and haddock – remained below levels seen in the past but others, including plaice and hake, were at “historic highs”.
Researcher Ian Napier also highlighted the “gadoid outburst” of the ’60s, when stocks of North Sea cod and other gadoids – like whiting and haddock – rose tenfold, which gave a “misleading impression of the ‘normal’ size of these stocks”.
He added: “The overall picture of whitefish stocks … is of generally increasing stock sizes and decreasing fishing mortality rates. The pressure placed on these stocks by the fishing fleet is at record lows.”
His findings prompted a call from Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) for the Scottish Government to work with industry to manage fisheries more effectively.
SFA executive officer Simon Collins said: “The figures match what our fishermen are seeing.
“The overall trend for most of our major commercial stocks could hardly be more encouraging. Brexit now offers Scotland an opportunity to make the most of its marine resources, and we look forward to closer collaboration with the Scottish Government to ensure this happens.”