Top seafood supplier Young’s Bluecrest has welcomed the prime minister’s strategy unit report about the British fishing fleet and has hailed sustainability as a key objective.
Marine Stewardship Council chief executive Brendan May also welcomed the prospect of savage cuts to Britain’s fishing fleet to save white fish stocks.
Prime minister Tony Blair’s strategy unit recommends that 30% of the British fishing fleet should be tied up in port for four years, and another 13% of the fleet should be scrapped immediately.
Young’s Bluecrest deputy chief executive Mike Parker said: "This report in general reflects our own position - that a secure future for the UK fishing industry depends on a more modern and flexible strategy overall.
“We particularly welcome the emphasis on sustainability and the specific recommendation there should be sustainable fisheries certification for all UK fish stocks by 2015.
“Also, the drive for a more flexible, regional approach to resources and quotas is the right way of balancing the needs of fishing communities and the environment.
“Although we are a global buyer, we still buy extensively in the UK, particularly pelagic fish, haddock and scampi. We have a number of sustainability initiatives with regional suppliers such as our C Trace project in the Western Isles. But, in the long term, successful management of UK fishing demands smarter thinking at government level.”
May said: “The broad message is simple: reform or die. What is now needed is real political clout and industry vision to make the transition from severe crisis to a sustainable future.”
Marine Stewardship Council chief executive Brendan May also welcomed the prospect of savage cuts to Britain’s fishing fleet to save white fish stocks.
Prime minister Tony Blair’s strategy unit recommends that 30% of the British fishing fleet should be tied up in port for four years, and another 13% of the fleet should be scrapped immediately.
Young’s Bluecrest deputy chief executive Mike Parker said: "This report in general reflects our own position - that a secure future for the UK fishing industry depends on a more modern and flexible strategy overall.
“We particularly welcome the emphasis on sustainability and the specific recommendation there should be sustainable fisheries certification for all UK fish stocks by 2015.
“Also, the drive for a more flexible, regional approach to resources and quotas is the right way of balancing the needs of fishing communities and the environment.
“Although we are a global buyer, we still buy extensively in the UK, particularly pelagic fish, haddock and scampi. We have a number of sustainability initiatives with regional suppliers such as our C Trace project in the Western Isles. But, in the long term, successful management of UK fishing demands smarter thinking at government level.”
May said: “The broad message is simple: reform or die. What is now needed is real political clout and industry vision to make the transition from severe crisis to a sustainable future.”
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