The Marine Directorate Scotland has announced it is considering revoking state subsidies granted to the owners of a Scottish trawler implicated in illegal fishing activities in Irish waters.
This decision follows a significant court ruling and could set a precedent for the enforcement of marine conservation policies.
The Peterhead-based trawler, Andromeda, owned by Andromeda Fishing Ltd, was caught by fisheries inspectors onboard an EFCA (European Fisheries Control Agency) patrol vessel off the coast of County Cork in May, engaging in illegal dumping of fish. The vessel was subsequently impounded, and its master, Jonathan Bellany, was fined €17,000 (£14,287). An additional €26,888.56 was paid in forfeiture.
The Scottish government is now deliberating whether to reclaim up to £186,000 in grants given to Andromeda Fishing Ltd over the past two years. These grants were intended for upgrading nets and onboard freezing facilities to enhance sustainability and efficiency. Officials are investigating whether the company breached the agreement terms by engaging in illegal activities.
A spokesperson for the Marine Directorate Scotland confirmed the government’s awareness of the conviction and stated, “We are currently considering the nature of the offence in relation to ‘serious infringements’ and the eligibility criteria for awards under the Marine Fund Scotland. Further actions may be appropriate in this instance.”
“The Scottish Government is aware of the UK’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.”
This case is being closely watched by marine conservationists as a test of the Scottish government’s commitment to upholding its world-leading fishing conservation policies. Phil Taylor, director of the marine conservation charity Open Seas, speaking to The Guardian newspaper, stressed the importance of enforcing these policies, stating, “The Scottish government should recover funds from any company that uses public money to subsidise illegal fishing activities and redirect these funds to incentivize sustainability.”
The Andromeda incident has brought to light the stringent new World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on fishing subsidies, which the UK and EU recently signed. These rules prohibit any subsidies for vessels involved in illegal or unregulated fishing.
The Irish Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority highlighted the detrimental impact of such illegal fishing on fish stock sustainability. A spokesperson remarked, “The illegal dumping of bycatch undermines the sustainability of sea-fisheries and the survivability of fish stocks.”
The Scottish government’s decision on this matter will be pivotal in determining the future enforcement of marine conservation regulations and the integrity of state-funded subsidies in the fishing industry.