A new £128m fisheries trade deal for Scotland

British ministers said a new fisheries trade deal for Scotland would be worth £128m next year, up from £97m last year.

According to the British news agency “BA Media” today Saturday, a tripartite agreement between the United Kingdom, Norway and the European Union to increase quotas for most North Sea stocks was concluded.

Scientists at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea have recommended increasing catches, following a recent move to improve stocks.

Scottish Government Minister for Rural Affairs Mary Goujon welcomed the deal.

“Action to protect stocks in the North Sea has paid off in recent years, paving the way for increased access for Scotland’s fishermen,” Goujon said.

“These stocks are of vital commercial importance to Scotland,” he added.

“The success of those efforts is reflected in the latest scientific advice, which allowed for a much larger increase in catches than last year,” he added.

“This is good news for Scotland’s fishermen, who will be able to access a much larger quota of whiting this year, with a positive economic impact on our fishing communities,” Goujon said.

UK Fisheries Secretary Mark Spencer welcomed the deal: “I am delighted to have reached agreements with the EU, Norway and wider coastal countries to protect vital fisheries resources worth more than £450 million to the UK fishing fleet by 2023.”