EU agrees deal on fishing quotas

UK hails fishing deal as 'balanced'
By Andrew Bolger
Financial Times, 20 December 2008

A European Union fishing deal has averted the closure of vital west of Scotland prawn fishing grounds, and confirmed increased catch quotas for North Sea cod, mackerel and plaice.

In exchange for firm pledges on improved conservation and an end where possible to the wasteful dumping of quota-exceeding fish back into the sea, the deal also boosted the overall UK share of main species.

Huw Irranca-Davies, the UK fisheries minister, said: "This is a fair deal overall for the UK, balancing the needs of our fishermen to make a living with the need to protect fish stocks for the future."

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

• Primary Source

The National Archives. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123162956/http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/category/news/press-releases/

European Commission: DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries: Press Release, 17.12.08: Preparation Agriculture/Fisheries Council of December 2008 http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/2008/com08_96_en.htm

Council of the European Union: Press Release: PRES/08/361: Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Brussels, 18-19 December 2008 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/agricult/104997.pdf

France24, 20.12.08: Big increase in North Sea cod quotas http://www.france24.com/en/20081220-big-increase-north-sea-cod-quotas-

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