Norwegian boats are prospering from the deadlock in quota negotiations for several key Scottish fish stocks, it was claimed yesterday.
North-east fish processor Will Clark said local white-fish boats were finding it increasingly difficult to compete in the face of growing UK imports of fish from Norway. Scottish fishing boats are also being snapped up by Norwegians eager to supply fresh products directly into the fish market in Peterhead, he added.
Mr Clark, managing director of Peterhead firm Wilsea and also chairman of the Scottish Seafood Association, said he found it hard to understand how Norwegian boats could land their catches in the UK viably without any government subsidies.
“Norway has upped the ante by sending more of their fish over here. Our boats are at a commercial disadvantage,” he said.
Last week, Norway suspended talks with the European Union over 2014 white-fish quotas for the North Sea following the latest failed mackerel discussions between Norway, the EU, Iceland and Faroe.
The delays are causing disruption in the industry as many boats cannot operate in their traditional fishing grounds.
Scottish industry leaders and Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead want the matter resolved, but not to the detriment of this country’s fishermen. Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association chief executive Mike Park said: “My members want a fair deal rather than a quick deal.”
Mr Lochhead said: “It is important that the best deal is secured as a package for Scotland’s fishermen.” But the North East Whitefish Supplies Forum – in a statement signed by Mr Clark and David Anderson, chairman of the Scottish Association Of Fish Producer Organisations – said Scottish fishers were being penalised by “having no access to prime fishing grounds which yield quality supplies”. It added: “The Norwegians have deliberately targeted the trade for fresh fish in the north-east. In addition, there has been recent activity by Norwegian interests to purchase fishing vessels.
“Domestic fresh trade will lose market share, undermining longer-term competitiveness of the (Scottish) industry. The longer these negotiations are adjourned, the more damage is being done.”
North Sea whitefish quotas are normally agreed between the EU and Norway by the start of each year at the latest. This year’s are complicated by the separate negotiations over mackerel. The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations said: “We are in uncharted waters. Although it is not unknown for the EU/Norway talks to face breakdowns and interruptions, it is unprecedented for their start to be delayed until February of the following year.”