Fishermen to get bigger quotas if they carry CCTV

Home staff

Britain’s fishermen are to be offered extra catches next year if they agree to fit “big brother” closed-circuit television cameras on to their boats to monitor conservation measures.
The plan was part of an EU deal struck last night on fisheries cutbacks amid continued warnings that dwindling stocks of species need more time to recover.
All fleets face reductions in catch quotas next year, but those accepting cameras — three per vessel — can add 5 per cent to their share.
The EU-wide move was proposed by the UK, Denmark and Germany and accepted by the European Commission.

The onboard CCTV is regarded as having a double benefit — a check on the reliability of the science on the state of fish stocks and a witness when fishermen illegally dump unwanted fish back into the sea in an attempt to keep within quota limits.
Huw Irranca-Davies, the UK Fisheries Minister, hailed the scheme as a breakthrough.“Sound science is essential in helping to conserve fish stocks while also allowing the industry to thrive,” he said.