A Ray of Sunshine - The West Coast Fishery Post-Brexit

A Ray of Sunshine

or

Skating on Thin Ice?

The West Coast Fishery Post-Brexit

Derek W Louden MA (Abdn), MA (Shef), MEI

Abbian House

Tower Street

Tain

Ross-shire

IV19 1DY

Tel: 01862 892734

Mob: 07876 774412

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

2

1) Introduction In this Paper we will look at the changes in quotas for species of the West Coast implemented by the European

Commission over the period from 1998 to 2016. The paper will show the extent of the changes

involved and will provide a basis for looking at the issues which will emerge during the Brexit negotiations.

Our analysis will look at each species in turn and will consider the effect of the changes in UK quota over time

and also the effect on the other nations fishing West of Scotland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockall_Bank_dispute

The diagram above shows the Exclusive Economic Zones belonging to the various players. These are the

starting off point for negotiations in Europe over who-gets-what. The numbers we consider below are for EU

waters. Unlike the North Sea where a 50:50 share between the UK and the rest of Europe would seem like a fair

allocation before taking account of the fishing grounds for individual species, the position West of Scotland is

altogether more complicated. Closer to home, both The Faroes and Ireland have significant interests and further

out into the Atlantic Iceland and eventually Greenland also become involved. The SFF would argue that the

UK’s share of EU waters in Zone VI should be 100%. Post-Brexit they would expect quota adjustments to

reflect this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockall_Bank_dispute

3

EU Fishing Areas

EU Fishing Areas The map above shows the fishing area divisions for the EU fisheries. For the West of Scotland we’re looking at

VIa and VIb waters which seem to be ours, Va which belongs to Icelands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) abd

Vb which belongs to the Faroes. We also fish in areas further out in the Atlantic in sections XII which is in

international waters and area XIV in Greenland’s EEZ.

Clearly any access UK boats have to Va and b and XIV waters would be eliminated post Brexit unless

reciprocal deals were struck with The Faroes and Greenland for access to our waters.

The area where the law of unintended consequences might prove valid here is in the Zones West of Ireland in

VIIb and c and VIIj and k where our fishing fleet anticipate the Irish still granting us access. Why the UK fleet

think the Irish would seek to reward those at least in part responsible for the Brexit debacle with continued

access is beyond my comprehension.

These scenarios will need to be worked through prior to Brexit discussions. It would not be impossible for a

larger share of the quotas in area VI along with exclusion from areas Va and Vb and VIIb and VIIc and VIIj and

VIIk and XII to result in a lower tonnage than we presently enjoy. The paper below will work on us exiting and

being chucked out of other nations’ areas. If the industry wants build more boats for a future based on seized

quota that’s up to them. I won’t be lending them the money.

4

2) Cod Quotas

Our first section will look at quotas for cod off the West Coast. The diagram below shows the quota

allocated to the UK over the period 1998 to 2016. We can see that the latest cut is the final one in a

series that has seen the quota cut from 5,960 Tonnes in 1999 to 45 Tonnes in 2016. Between 1999

and 2016, the UK West Coast Cod quota fell by 99.2%.

Fig 2.1 Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN

In 2003, the quota allocations for the West Coast by Member State were as follows:

Fig 2.2

Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2003

This EU quota covers the areas Vb, VIb, XII and XIV. Of these, only VIb is in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Vb belongs to the Faroes, XII to Greenland and XIV is managed by wider agreements under the umbrella of the North East Atlantic Fishery Commission which is based in London. This tends to suggest that telling all the other nations to clear off we’re having it all might not prove as advantageous as our fishing entrepreneurs seem to think.

-

1,000

2,000

3,000

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UK West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

27 , 1%

287 , 16%

3 , 0%

407 , 23% 1,084 ,

60%

West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 2003

Germany France Belgium Ireland UK

5

In 2016 we can see that the national shares of the different nations have remained broadly similar.

Belgium has had no quota since 2010. The UK has 61% of the quota. France has gained at Irekand’s

expense.

Fig 2.2a

Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN

Landings to the West Coast ports are also made by foreign vessels, in the case of Highland Council

Harbours, these vessels are mainly French and Spanish. The French fleet has also seen their quota

for Cod taken in the West of Scotland area fall. The diagram below shows this decline:

Fig 2.3



The French fleet has suffered a 99.7% cut in their quota since 1999. This will inevitably have fed

through into reduced revenues from Landing Dues at the Highland Harbours affected.

1, 1% 12, 16%

16, 22% 45, 61%

West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Germany France Ireland UK

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France West Coast Cod Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

6

3) Haddock Quota

Haddock quotas in the West of Scotland area have also been savagely cut. The position for UK

vessels is shown in the diagram below:

Fig 3.1



In 1998 the UK fleet was allowed to catch 20,710 tonnes of Haddock off the West Coast of Scotland.

By 2016 this allocation had been cut to 7,390 tonnes. This represents a reduction of 64.3%.

In 2003 the allocation of Haddock quotas between member states was as follows:



The UK had 75% of the EU Haddock quota for areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV in 2003. Ireland had 15% with

France taking 10%. You could not imagine that there would be much upside for the UK if we wished

to maintain access to Vb, XII and XIV which are all outside our EEZ.

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5,000

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UK West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

21 , 0% 860 , 10% 17 , 0%

1,321 , 15%

6,455 , 75%

West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 2003


7

In 2016 we can see that the national shares of the different nations have remained broadly similar:

Fig 3.2a Source: Adapted from European Commission TAC’s & Quotas 1998 – 2016


The UK continues to have the Lion’s share of the Haddock quota. There has been a clear transfer of

access rights to France from either the UK or Ireland. If there is a game of blame apportionment for

the collapse in the fishery, it is difficult to see how this could be passed to bureaucrats in Brussels.

Fig 3.3


France’s quota fell from 2,840 Tonnes in 1998 to 881 Tonnes in 2016, a drop of 69.0% over the

period.

37, 1%

881, 9% 18, 0%

1361, 14%

7390, 76%

West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 2016


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France West Coast Haddock Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

8

4) Whiting Quota

The first diagram in this section shows cuts in the UK fleet’s Whiting quota between 1998 and 2003:

Fig 4.1



The UK’s Whiting quota fell from 5,805 Tonnes in 1998 to only 122 Tonnes in 2016. This represents a

fall of 97.9% over the period. This is another catastrophic decline.

Fig 4.2



In 2003 the UK had a 65% share of the West Coast Whiting Quota. This fishery also covers the areas

Vb, VI, XII and XIV. Ireland has quite a high quota for this species.

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UK West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

6, 0% 122, 6%

582, 29%

1290, 65%

West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 2003


9

By 2016 France appears to have grown its share of a greatly declined fishery at the expense of the

UK.

Fig 4.2a



The decline in the French quota is shown in the diagram below:

Fig 4.3



France’s Whiting quota fell from 550 Tonnes in 1998 to only 26 Tonnes in 2016, a decline of 95.3% over the period.

1, 1% 26, 12%

64, 30% 122, 57%

West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 2016


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France West Coast Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

10

5) Hake Quota

We next look at the UK’s Hake quota and how this has been reduced over time:

Fig 5.1


http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0072&from=EN In a sea of doom so-far we next turn to the Hake quota. Here we can see that the fishery has thrived with sharp increases in quota over recent years. From its nadir in 2001 of only 2,500 Tonnes output has risen to 11,125 Tonnes in 2016. This represents a rise of 345% over the period. Whether any fishery can sustain such a rapid run-up in quotas remains to be seen.



In 2003 this fishery was dominated by France and Spain at the expense of the UK and Ireland. The

1% share of the fishery enjoyed by Ireland (114 Tonnes) was less than that allocated to Belgium. The

UK’s share was less than France or Spain. Clearly this is the kind of fishery where there would be a

Brexit bonus. There is no sensible justification for these allocations.

0

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12,000 T

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UK West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

152, 1%

7512, 47%

98, 1% 4959, 31%

114, 1%

2998, 19%

West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 2003

Belgium France Holland

Spain Ireland UK

11

Fig 5.2a



A minor re-shuffle of quotas took place between 2003 and 2016 with Ireland now having 5% of the

quota. The UK’s share fell to 18% over the period. The Quotas allocated to France and Spain are

shown in the diagrams below:

Fig 5.3



The quota for France rose from 6,340T in 2001 to 28,178T in 2016, a rise of 344% over the period.

Fig 5.4


Spain posted a rise from 4,100T in 2001 to 18,248T in 2016 an increase of 345% over the period.

569 , 1%

28,178 , 46%

367 , 1%

18,248 , 29%

3,415 , 5%

11,125 , 18%

West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Belgium France Holland

Spain Ireland UK

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France West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

0 2000 4000 6000 8000

10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000

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Spain West Coast Hake Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

http://eur/

12

6) Monkfish

The next species we will look at is Monkfish. The chart below shows how the UK’s Quota declined

from 1998 to 2004. Since then the quota has recovered. Overall, the fishery has declined from 2,650

Tonnes in 1998 to 1,962 Tonnes in 2016 a fall of 26.0% during the period.

Fig 6.1


The shares of the various nations participating in this fishery in 2003 are shown below:

Fig 6.2



This is another quota where the French had been given a disproportionate share of the fishery. How

has this fishery performed over time? Let’s have a look at the allocation between the nations at the

present time.

0

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UK West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

114, 4% 130, 4% 122, 4%

1,407, 44%

318, 10%

110, 3%

978, 31%

West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 2003

Belgium Germany Spain France

Ireland Holland UK

http://eur/


13

Fig 6.2a



The largest share of this fishery continues to be held by France rather than the UK. Whilst there is a

benefit in landing and harbour dues and in the sale of fuel and provisions to the boats the greater

part of the value of the fish makes no contribution to the country where they are caught. The benefit

is to the country doing the catching.

Fig 6.3



France has seen its share of the Monkfish catch increase from 1,407 Tonnes in 2003 to 2,818 Tonnes

in 2016, a rise of 100% over the period.

229, 4% 262, 4%

245, 4%

2818, 44% 638, 10%

221, 3%

1962, 31%

West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Belgium Germany Spain France

Ireland Holland UK

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France West Coast Monkfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



14

7) Herring

The change in the UK quota for herring over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 7.1



We can see that the herring fishery has also suffered a serious decline. A late quota was set in 2016

at only 2,520 Tonnes for areas Vb, VIaN and VIb. This is a fall from 46,360 Tonnes in 1998 and

represents a reduction of 94.6% over the period. A further reduction is proposed for 2017.

Fig 7.2



We can see from the diagram above that in 2003 the UK held 61% of the quota for herring to the

west of Scotland. The Irish held a 15% share with Germany and the Netherlands each having 11%.

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10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000 T

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UK West Coast Herring Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

3280, 11%

621, 2% 4432, 15% 3280, 11%

17728, 61%

West Coast Herring Quota (Tonnes) 2003

Germany France Ireland Holland UK



15

In 2016, the percentages remained the same, demonstrating that the problem in the fishery was being

evenly shared between the various countires.

Fig 7.2a



The UK holds 61% of the quota for herring to the west of Scotland. If the stock is being overfished

blame apportionment to Brussels or the other nations looks unlikely to be justified. The problem

here may be at least in part due to climate change.

8) Horse Mackerel

The change in the UK quota for Horse Mackerel over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 8.1



The UK’s Horse Mackerel quota has fallen from 30,700 Tonnes per annum to 9,800 Tonnes in 2016, a

fall of 68.1% over the period. This fishery has clearly declined over the period studied although the

current quota is slightly higher than that for the year before.

3280, 11%

621, 2% 4432, 15% 3280, 11%

17728, 61%

West Coast Herring Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Germany France Ireland Holland UK

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UK West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



16

Fig 8.2



In 2003 the UK held 10% of the quota for Horse Mackerel off the West Coast. The Netherlands with

34% of the quota and Ireland with 24% each held bigger shares of this fishery than the UK.

Fig 8.2a



Some shuffling around of quota took place between 2003 and 2016 which has resulted in the

Netherlands, France and the UK losing quota and Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany showing

gains.

The quota here is stated for the area Vb, VI, VII, VIIIa,b,d,e, XII, XIV which includes UK EEZ waters as

well as waters belonging to Ireland, Greenland, the Faroes, France and Spain as well as international

waters in the deep Atlantic. Denmark, Germany and particularly the Netherlands seem to be gaining

in particular at the expense of the UK and France.

11796, 9%

9428, 7% 12875, 10% 6230, 5%

30693, 24%

0, 0%

44981, 34%

1246, 1% 12751, 10%

West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2003

Denmark Germany Spain France Ireland

Sweden Holland Portugal UK

10415, 10%

8126, 8% 11084, 10% 4183, 4%

27064, 26%

675, 1% 32606, 31%

1068, 1%

9800, 9%

West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2016


Sweden Holland Portugal UK



17

The quota allocated to Ireland is shown in the chart below:

Fig 8.3



Ireland saw its quota decline from 73,900 Tonnes in 1998 to only 27,064 Tonnes in 2016, a decline of

63.4% over the period. The current year saw the quota rise from the low point reached in 2015.

Fig 8.4



The Netherlands saw its quota decline from 108,300 Tonnes in 1998 to only 32,606 Tonnes in 2016,

a decline of 69.9% over the period. The current year saw the quota rise from the low point reached

in 2015.

It is, I think, pretty unclear as to why the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany have such high quotas

in comparison to France and in particular the UK. Brexit would I think mean a remodelling of this

quota.

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Ireland West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

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Netherlands West Coast Horse Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



18

9) Mackerel

The change in the UK quota for Mackerel for fishing areas IIa, Vb, VI, VII, VIIIa,b,d,e, XII and XIV over

the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 9.1



The Mackerel quota is higher today than it was in 1998 suggesting a fishery that is being pursued

sustainably. Mackerel quota increased from 179,500 Tonnes in 1998 to a peak of 288,566 Tonnes in

2014 since when it has declined to 208,557 in 2016. The increase between 2013 and 2014 was very

high and it looks as if this partial reverse since then reflects a need to maintain the sustainable

nature of this fishery.

Fig 9.2



The UK and Ireland dominated this fishery with stakes of 59% and 21% respectively in 2003.

Germany, France the Netherlands and Spain held the remainder of the quota.

Is this still the case in 2016?

0

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UK West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

19890, 7%

13261, 4% 66300, 21% 20, 0% 29006, 9%

182331, 59%

West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2003

Germany France Ireland Others Holland UK



19

Fig 9.2a



We can see that there was only a marginal change in the UK’s share of the quota between 2003 and

2016.

Fig 9.3



Ireland’s quota pattern over the same period follows that of the UK. There was a rapid jump in quota

between 2013 and 2014 which has fallen back over the last two years. Overall, between 1998 and

2016 the Irish Mackerel quota rose from 65,300 Tonnes to 75,837 Tonnes, a modest increase of

16.1% over the period.

22751, 7%

15169, 4% 75837, 21% 2095, 1% 33178, 9%

208557, 58%

West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Germany France Ireland Others Holland UK

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Ireland West Coast Mackerel Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



20

10) Redfish

The change in the UK quota for Redfish in fishing areas V, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to

2016 is shown below:

Fig 10.1



The UK has a paltry share of the Redfish TAC with our quota falling from 35 Tonnes in year 2000 to

only 2 Tonnes today. How are the other nations being catered for?

Fig 10.2



The UK’s share of the Redfish TAC gives us a quota of less than 1% for this fish type. The area given

excludes our area VI and so area V is in Faroese and Icelandic waters with area XIV under the control

of Greenland. Area XII is in international waters under the control of the North East Atlantic Fisheries

Commission. Germany had 68% of the quota in 2003, Poland had 14% and Spain 12%. Since all these

areas lie in someone else’s EEZ or in international waters there isn’t a likely Brexit bonus here.

0

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UK West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

11100, 68%

1949, 12%

1037, 6%

2330, 14% 27, 0%

West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 2003

Germany Spain France Poland UK



21

Fig 10.2a



By 2016 Germany’s share had diminished slightly as quota was granted to Portugal, Estonia and

Latvia.

Fig 10.3



Germany has the Lion’s share of the quota for Redfish. The quota over the years is shown in the

chart above. The fishery has declined from a quota of 14,022 Tonnes in 2000 to only 802 Tonnes in

2016. This represents a fall of 94.3% over the period. Clearly this isn’t a fishery being prosecuted

sustainably.

802, 61%

141, 11% 75, 6%

72, 5% 2, 0% 168, 13%

39, 3%

14, 1%

West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Germany Spain France Poland

UK Portugal Estonia Latvia

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Germany West Coast Redfish Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



22

11) Roundnose Grenadier

The change in the UK quota for Roundnose Grenadiers in fishing areas V, Vb, VI, VII and XIV over the

period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 11.1



The UK has enjoyed a small stake in this fishery but in 2016 this has been closed to all but by-catch

fisheries.

Fig 11.2



Prior to the closure of this fishery, the shares allocated to the various Member States are shown in

the chart above. Spain and France had 80% of the fishery between them. This quota regime does

cover the UK’s area VI EEZ and Ireland’s area VII EEZ areas. This allocation is for a species not usually

found on dinner plates outside of France and Spain. Were Brexit to change the allocation, we’d still

have to sell the fish in the EU market. There is no home market for this fish.

0

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UK West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016

81, 1%

2682, 35% 42, 1%

3423, 45% 32, 0% 265, 3% 59, 1%

857, 11%

205, 3%

West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2015

Lithuania Spain Latvia France Germany

Ireland Estonia Poland UK



23

The share of the TAC given to the French is shown in the chart below:

Fig 11.3



France had a quota over sixteen times as high as the UK quota for this species in 2015. The

unsustainable nature of the fishery has been a great leveller with the quota now equalised at zero

for both nations.

Fig 11.4



Spain’s quota was thirteen times as high as the UK’s in 2015. They’re equal now in 2016.

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France West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016

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Spain West Coast Roundnose Grenadier Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016



24

12) Skates and Rays

The change in the UK quota for Skates and Rays in fishing areas VIa,b and VIIa-c,e-k over the period

from 2010 to 2016 is shown below. We can see that the fishery has been in decline. The quota has

fallen from 3,460 Tonnes in 2010 to only 2,076 Tonnes in 2016, a fall of 40.0% in seven years.

Fig 12.1



The allocation of quota amongst the nations shows that Ireland is clearly losing out to France in what

seems a very unfair allocation of this fishery.

Fig 12.2



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UK West Coast Skates & Rays Quota (Tonnes) 2010 - 2016

725, 9%

876, 11% 3255, 40%

1048, 13% 2076, 26%

52, 1%

West Coast Skates & Rays Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Belgium Spain France Ireland UK Others



25

13) Saithe

The change in the UK quota for Saithe in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below

Fig 13.1



This fishery has been subject to a gradual decline in recent years falling from 3,425 Tonnes in 1998

to 2,987 Tonnes in 2016 a fall of 12.8% over the period.

Fig 13.2



The areas covered by this fishery are in the UK’s EEZ but also cover Faroese waters, Greenland’s EEZ

and International waters governed by the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. France has a

very large share of the fishery which again seems to be at the expense of Ireland. We seem to have

a fair share of this fishery. France has too much and Ireland too little. There isn’t a Brexit upside for

us here.

3,4

25

3,1

25

3,0

80

3,2

55

3,2

11

3,0

29

3,4

88

3,7

92

3,5

92

3,5

92

3,7

08

3,7

08

3,4

43

3,3

17

3,1

54

3,2

54

3,1

28

3,0

22

2,9

87

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500

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1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000 T

on

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Year

UK West Coast Saithe Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

236, 4%

2341, 39%

384, 7%

2987, 50%

West Coast Saithe Quota (Tonnes) 2016




26

Fig 13.3



Since a peak in 2004 of 14,307 Tonnes France’s quota for Saithe has fallen to 2,341 in 2016. This

fishery hasn’t been pursued in a sustainable manner. The decline is 83.6% over this timeframe.

14) Blue Whiting

The change in the UK quota for Blue Whiting in fishing areas I-VIII and XII-XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below

Fig 14.1



The Fishing area for this stock has seen some volatility over this time period. From 110,678 Tonnes in

2005 a rapid decline saw the quota fall to 1,990 Tonnes in 2011, a fall of 98.2% over the period.

Since then things have recovered somewhat with the quota now at 41,137 in 2016.

How this stock is divided up between the nation states is shown on the following page.

63

90

36

10

32

05

48

35

94

17

12

42

4

14

30

7

97

74

79

30

79

30

90

03

90

03

65

56

53

93

38

78

48

05

36

47

26

68

23

41

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France West Coast Saithe Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

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140,000

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UK West Coast Blue Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



27

Fig 14.2



This pelagic fishery has seen the cake cut into many slices. The UK at 20% has the largest slice of the

EU TAC. Next comes the Netherlands with 18%, Denmark with 15%, Spain 13%, Ireland 12%, France

11%, Germany 6%, Sweden 4% and Portugal 1%. It includes acreage in all these countries EEZ’s but

the allocation clearly favours the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain at the expense of the UK and

Ireland.

Fig 14.2



The Netherlands also saw a precipitous decline in quota from 119,216 Tonnes in 2005 to only 1,869

Tonnes in 2011. This represents a fall of 98.4% over the period. Since then, as for other nations the

quota has recovered to 38,659 Tonnes in 2016.

31704, 15% 12327,

6%

26878, 13%

22063, 11% 24550,

12% 38659, 18%

2497, 1%

7842, 4% 41137, 20%

West Coast Blue Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 2016


Holland Portugal Sweden UK

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

To

nn

es

Year

Netherlands West Coast Blue Whiting Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



28

15) Pollack

The change in the UK quota for Pollack in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 15.1



This fishery is a minor one for the UK and indeed for the EU. The UK’s quota has fallen over time

from 400 Tonnes in 1998 to 145 Tonnes in 2011. It has been unchanged from 2011 to 2016.

Fig 15.2



This fishery is divided between three nations. France appears to be benefiting at the expense of the

UK. As before, the inclusion of Faroese area Vb and international area XII muddy the waters. As a

minor fishery, we’ll leave it there.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450 T

on

nes

Year

UK West Coast Pollack Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

190, 49%

56, 14%

145, 37%

West Coast Pollack Quota (Tonnes) 2016

France Ireland UK



29

16) Plaice

The change in the UK quota for Plaice in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 16.1



We can see that this fishery has declined over the period from 1998 to 2016. At the start of the

period the UK quota was 1,450 Tonnes and by the end it was 388 Tonnes, a decline of 73.2%.

The allocation of the quota between nations was as follows:

Fig 16.1



We can see that the UK has a 59% share of the EU TAC in 2016. Ireland has 40% and France 9%. The

areas covered include Faroese Vb, International XII and Greenland XIV waters so what might happen

in the event of Brexit might take some time to be determined.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600 T

on

nes

Year

UK West Coast Plaice Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

9, 1%

261, 40%

388, 59%

West Coast Plaice Quota (Tonnes) 2016

France Ireland UK



30

17) Sole

The change in the UK quota for Sole in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 17.1



This is a very minor fishery on the West Coast which has declined over the period of this review.

Fig 17.2



This fishery is shared shared by Ireland and the UK in the ratio shown above.

30 30 30 30

25

21

17 14 14 14 14 14

12 12 12 11 11 11 11

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35 T

on

nes

Year

UK West Coast Sole Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

46

11

West Coast Sole Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Ireland UK



31

18) Megrim

The change in the UK quota for Megrim in fishing areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 18.1



The Megrim fishery has seen a decline in quota followed by a recovery over the period from 1998

when the UK quota was 1,520 Tonnes to a low of 813 Tonnes in 2008/09 to a end point of 1,635

Tonnes in 2016. This last year saw a big jump in quota, time will tell if this new level can be

sustained.

Fig 18.2



This fishery is divided up between four Member States of the European Union. France has the

largest share with 44% of the fishery, next comes the UK with 32%, Ireland has 13% and Spain takes

the remaining 11%.

- 200 400 600 800

1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800

To

nn

es

Year

UK West Coast Megrim Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

592, 11%

2312, 44% 675, 13%

1635, 32%

West Coast Megrim Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Spain France Ireland UK



32

Fig 18.2



France has also seen a decline in its quota followed by a recovery to leave it just above the level at

which it started off.

19) Norway Lobster

The change in the UK quota for Norway Lobster in fishing areas Vb and VI over the period from 1998 to 2016 is shown below:

Fig 19.1



We can see that the Norway Lobster quota has been up and down a bit with quite large adjustments

from year to year. The quota at the end of the period is higher than that at the start which suggests

lobster is being fished sustainably. Quota has risen from 12,305 in 1998 to 16,134 in 2016, a rise of

31.1% over the period.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

To

nn

es

Year

France West Coast Megrim Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

To

nn

es

Year

UK West Coast Norway Lobster Quota (Tonnes) 1998 - 2016



33

Fig 19.2



We can see that no-one is getting many of our lobster. The UK has a 98% of this EU quota in areas Vb

belonging to the Faroes and VI which is in the UK’s EEZ.

5) Shares of EU Quota – who gets what

Fig 5.1

The chart above shows that the UK’s share of EU quota varies from species to species. There are

some where our share of the waters has earned us a huge share. These include Norway Lobster

(97.64%) and Haddock (76.29%). There are some that are more in keeping with our geographical

share such as Cod (60.81%), Herring (60.43%), Plaice (58.97%), Mackerel (58.32%) and Whiting

(57.28%). There are quotas which might be explained by the geographical location of the fish such as

Redfish (0.15%) and Common Sole (19.30%). Having said this, our quota for many stocks is too low –

for Megrim (31.36%), Monkfish (30.78%) Skates and Rays (25.85%) for Blue Whiting (19.81%), Hake

(17.97%), and for Horse Mackerel (9.33%).

What we require to decide is whether to give up tariff free access to European Markets to gain the

extra tonnage that our boats could justifiably claim they should have access to. We need to be clear

that the loss of free access is inevitable if we seize quota from French and Spanish vessels.

33, 0%

134, 1%

223, 1%

16134, 98%

West Coast Norway Lobster Quota (Tonnes) 2016

Spain France Ireland UK

97

.64

%

76

.29

%

60

.81

%

60

.43

%

58

.97

%

58

.32

%

57

.28

%

50

.22

%

31

.36

%

30

.78

%

25

.85

%

19

.81

%

19

.30

%

17

.97

%

9.3

3%

0.1

5%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

UK's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016


34

Fig 5.2

There is only one fishery where the Irish hold a large stake and that is one of the smallest we looked

at, that for Common Sole. Much of Ireland’s entitlement has been given up to France and Spain as

we shall see in the following charts. We hope no-one suggests that Ireland should be forced to give

up quota post Brexit. There seems no case to be made for such a re-allocation from the figures

above.

Fig 5.2

France has been the major beneficiary of the EU Fishery stitch-up since our accession to the EU.

When historians look at the reasons for the failure of the UK to buy in to the EU project a share of

the blame will lie with the aider moi-même approach to the West Coast fishery adopted by France.

Hake, Megrim, Monkfish, Skate/Rays and Saithe quotas are excessive at Ireland and the UK’s

expense.

80

.7%

39

.7%

30

.1%

25

.8%

21

.6%

21

.2%

15

.1%

14

.1%

13

.1%

13

.0%

11

.8%

10

.0%

6.5

%

5.5

%

1.4

%

0.0

%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

Co

mm

on

So

le

Pla

ice

Wh

itin

g

Ho

rse

Mac

kere

l

Co

d

Mac

kere

l

Her

rin

g

Had

do

ck

Skat

e/R

ays

Meg

rim

Blu

e W

hit

ing

Mo

nkf

ish

Sait

he

Hak

e

No

rway

Lo

bst

er

Red

fish

Ireland's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016

45

.52

%

44

.34

%

44

.20

%

40

.53

%

39

.36

%

16

.22

%

12

.21

%

10

.62

%

9.0

9%

5.7

1%

4.2

4%

3.9

8%

2.1

1%

1.3

7%

0.8

1%

0.0

0%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0%

100.0%

France's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016

35

Fig 5.3

Spain has also been a beneficiary of the EU Fishery stitch-up but to a lesser extent than France. The

Spanish quota for Hake will be the primary target for our fishing fleet post Brexit.

Fig 5.4

Source: Scottish Fishery Statistics 2015, P15: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00506391.pdf All numbers in £000’s

We can see from the diagram above that Scottish boats don’t catch fish in area Va or b, XII or XIV

and indeed take very little from area VIb. Area IIa belonging to Norway is also free of Scottish boats.

We do take fish from area VII which is shared with other nations, especially Ireland.

29

.48

%

12

.94

%

11

.35

%

10

.91

%

10

.74

%

10

.55

%

3.8

4%

0.2

0%

0.0

1%

0.0

0%

0.0

0%

0.0

0%

0.0

0%

0.0

0%

0.0

0%

0.0

0%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

Spain's Share of EU Quotas West Coast (NE Atlantic) 2016

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00506391.pdf

36

European Information tends to suggest that the other European nations are fishing in area VIa as

well:

Landings by the EU fleet by FAO fishing division (sub-region), highlighting areas contributing more than 2% to

the total landings in weight in 2014 Source: EXPERT WORKING GROUP REPORT - REPORT TO THE STECF EXPERT WORKING GROUP OF THE 2016 ANNUAL ECONOMIC REPORT ON THE EU FISHING FLEET EWG-16-03 & 16-07 ISPRA, ITALY, 25-29 APRIL & DUBLIN, IRELAND, 6-10 JUNE 2016

https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=499da589-8231-4b53-9e68-

83c6b7a3d08c&groupId=43805

The data above and below for all EU boats shows foreign vessels are targeting area VIa in the UK’s

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). They aren’t fishing in IIa, Va, Vb, VIb, XII or XIV either.

https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=499da589-8231-4b53-9e68-83c6b7a3d08c&groupId=43805


37

Data source: data submissions under the DCF 2016 Fleet Economic (MARE/A3/AC(2016)

Landings by the EU fleet by FAO fishing division (sub-region), highlighting areas contributing more than 2% to

the total landings in value in 2014 Source: EXPERT WORKING GROUP REPORT - REPORT TO THE STECF EXPERT WORKING GROUP OF THE 2016 ANNUAL ECONOMIC REPORT ON THE EU FISHING FLEET EWG-16-03 & 16-07 ISPRA, ITALY, 25-29 APRIL & DUBLIN, IRELAND, 6-10 JUNE 2016

https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=499da589-8231-4b53-9e68-

83c6b7a3d08c&groupId=43805

We have seen in the two maps above that foreign vessels target fish in the UK’s Exclusive Economic

Zone. We have a number of options here:

Take the quota off them and give it to the Scottish boats

Take the quota off them and sell it to the Scottish boats

Leave them with quota but make them register vessels in Scotland & charge them to use the quota

Leave them with the quota and don’t make them re-register or pay to use the quota



38

Value of Annual Quota in 2015 Prices £’s

BE DK DE ES FR IR NL PO SU UK

Megrim £ - £ - £ - £ 1,401,264 £ 5,472,504 £ 1,597,725 £ - £ - £ - £ 3,870,045

Norway Lobster £ - £ - £ - £ 348,546 £ 1,415,308 £ 2,355,326 £ - £ - £ - £170,407,308

Haddock £ 24,516 £ - £ 50,394 £ - £ 1,199,922 £ 1,853,682 £ - £ - £ - £ 10,065,180

Monkfish £ 554,180 £ - £ 634,040 £ 592,900 £ 6,819,560 £ 1,543,960 £ 534,820 £ - £ - £ 4,748,040

Whiting £ - £ - £ 1,071 £ - £ 27,846 £ 68,544 £ - £ - £ - £ 130,662

Skate/Rays £ 605,375 £ - £ 8,350 £ 731,460 £ 2,717,925 £ 875,080 £ 2,505 £ - £ - £ 1,733,460

Cod £ - £ - £ 1,967 £ - £ 23,604 £ 31,472 £ - £ - £ - £ 88,515

Plaice £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 6,327 £ 183,483 £ - £ - £ - £ 272,764

Herring £ - £ - £ 164,964 £ - £ 31,152 £ 223,020 £ 164,964 £ - £ - £ 892,080

Blue Whiting £ - £ 5,199,456 £ 2,021,628 £ ,407,992 £ 3,618,332 £ 4,026,200 £ 6,340,076 £ 409,508 £1,286,088 £ 6,746,468

Hake £ 1,255,783 £ - £ - £40,273,336 £62,188,846 £ 7,536,905 £ 809,969 £ - £ - £ 24,552,875

Saithe £ - £ - £ 202,960 £ - £ 2,013,260 £ 330,240 £ - £ - £ - £ 2,568,820

Horse Mackerel £ - £ 7,259,255 £ 5,663,822 £ 7,725,548 £ 2,915,551 £18,863,608 £ 22,726,382 £ - £ 470,475 £ 6,830,600

Mackerel £ - £ - £14,446,885 £ 15,240 £ 9,632,315 £48,156,495 £ 21,068,030 £ 1,017,270 £ 120,015 £132,433,695

Common Sole £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 230,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 55,000

Redfish £ - £ - £ 188,470 £ 33,135 £ 17,625 £ - £ - £ 16,920 £ - £ 470

TOTAL £ 2,439,854 £ 12,458,711 £23,384,551 £55,529,421 £98,100,077 £87,875,740 £ 51,646,746 £ 1,443,698 £1,876,578 £365,395,982

0.35% 1.78% 3.34% 7.92% 13.99% 12.53% 7.37% 0.21% 0.27% 52.11%

Value of Landings: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00506391.pdf

£700,151,358

Note: Quota given to Portugal, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania couldn’t be fitted onto this table so the percentages will total slightly less than 100%.

The above table shows the extent to which the EU fishing fleet has taken advantage of the UK’s weak bargaining position on accession to extract a very high

level of rent from the West Coast fishery. France, Spain, The Netherlands and Germany between them take nearly £229 Million pounds worth of fish from

these waters some in area VI in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone and some perhaps further out in area XII in international waters. It will be important to

determine where exactly the EU’s fleet is catching their fish. If it is in area VI then we can make a claim. If area VI is fished by our fleet and the area further

out by the French and Spanish etc. then there isn’t the same automatic right to take quota away from French, Spanish, Dutch and German boats. The North

East Atlantic Fishery Commission (NEAFC) governs this province, we’d be sensible to start discussions with them on what we propose.

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00506391.pdf

39

Conclusions

Scottish fishermen are expecting a bonanza West of Scotland as a result of Brexit

Our study has shown that prima facie the West Coast fishery has quota which is allocated unfairly

Maps above show that the West Coast fishery pursued by the Scottish fleet is mainly in area VIa

EU boats also pursue their West Coast fishery in area VIa, part of the UK’s EEZ

We don’t pursue the fishery well out into the Atlantic in areas VIb and XII.

We don’t pursue a fishery in Norwegian waters in area IIa

We don’t pursue a fishery in Icelandic area Va

We don’t pursue a fishery in Faroese waters area Vb

We don’t pursue a fishery off Greenland in area XIV

Nor do our European neighbours

Scottish boats catch £32m of fish from Ireland’s Area VII

Ireland lands £88m of fish from Scotland’s area VIa

France lands £98m of fish from Scotland’s area VIa

Spain lands £55m of fish from Scotland’s area VIa

The Netherlands lands £51m from Scotland’s area VIa

A high proportion of these landings will be sold to Europe

Our fishermen expect us to strip the quota from the foreign vessels and give it to them

They also expect us to keep tariff free access to the EU’s Single Market

Good Luck!

A Ray of Sunshine - The West Coast Fishery Post-Brexit

Economy & Finance

Transcript of A Ray of Sunshine - The West Coast Fishery Post-Brexit