Tag Archives: Firth of Clyde

Scottish Governments “senseless” ban on Firth of Clyde ‘ruining generations of business’

Furious fishermen have accused the Scottish Government of devastating their historic Firth of Clyde industry with a “senseless” ban. Boats in the area support more than 600 jobs, many of which are in small family businesses keeping the way of life alive for remote communities. But fishermen were left shocked when ministers implemented an 11-week ban in February, leaving them unable to earn a living. The move is designed to encourage the resurgence of cod stocks, but previous restrictions allowed vessels which didn’t interfere with their habitat to continue working. >click to read< 08:10

Clyde fishing ban: Scottish Government refuses financial support for creel fishermen

The news comes after an 11-week targeted cod ban, prohibiting all fishing activity where cod can spawn in the Firth of Clyde, came into place on February 14. Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon confirmed, in line with policy around similar management measures, including the National Cod Avoidance Plan and Marine Protected Areas,,, The minister said adapting the measures to exclude any exemptions such as creel fishing this year was the “right decision” to protect spawning cod based on “the best available scientific evidence”. However, scientists and academics have claimed there is “no evidence” creel fishing impacts cod spawning. >click to read< 08:36

Firth of Clyde: Fishermen hit out at new measures aimed at protecting cod stocks

Exemptions allowing langoustine trawlers, creels and scallop dredgers to use the area during spawning season will be ended. The Clyde Fishermen’s Association says the move will have “a horrific impact”, but the government says it needs to act now to protect cod stocks. For 20 years, measures to protect spawning cod in the Firth of Clyde have been in place through an annual 11-week closure between February 14 and April 30. >click to read< 10:20

Fishermen slam ‘soul-destroying’ decision to end Clyde fishing exemption

Fishermen have slammed the Scottish Government’s ‘soul-destroying’ decision to introduce new cod stock protection measures in the Firth of Clyde. The government is ending an exemption letting creel and scallop dredgers and langoustine trawlers use the area during the approaching spawn season. For more than two decades, measures were in place to protect spawning cod in the Firth of Clyde, with the area being closed off for 11 weeks between 14 February and 30 April. The group said that the “total loss of income” would affect many small family boats for months, which is a burden to the fishing communities following Brexit and the pandemic. >click to read< 09:11