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Pollack in western waters
23 February 2024
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement addresses the closure of pollack fishing in western waters due to scientific advice from ICES recommending a zero TAC for 2024.
Action Requested
The minister announces the re-opening of the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme to provide up to £6 million in grant funding, with expedited processing for affected fishers. Additionally, a new scientific study led by Cefas is launched to improve understanding of pollack stock, involving fishers in genetic sample collection.
Key Facts
- ICES advised setting the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for pollack at zero for 2024.
- A UK-EU bycatch TAC of 832 tonnes was negotiated to avoid impacting other healthy fisheries.
- The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme is open again as of 23 February 2024 with up to £6 million in grant funding.
- Fishers affected by the zero TAC will have their applications expedited, reducing processing time from 8 weeks to 4 weeks.
- Cefas leads a scientific study involving fishers to collect genetic samples from around 3,000 pollack.
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