Scots charities warn new post-Brexit measures needed to stop overfishing and protect marine life

It says it is up to Scotland to take action to provide sustainable fishing practices and build on "positive environmental protections we already benefit from" through the CFP.

Overfishing - catching more than is replaced from natural reproduction - has been seen by some as the single most destructive force in the marine environment. It not only affects the balance of life in sea, but also the social and economic well-being of coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life with seafood being Scotland's second largest export.

The controversial CFP is a set of rules for managing European fishing fleets and conserving stocks, which has been criticised for being unfair to the industry in Scotland.

The Scottish secretary has effectively ruled out the UK remaining in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) longer than planned, which some argue would throw the future of fishing stocks in the area into doubt as sustainability targets agreed by the EU would no longer apply.

David Mundell said the country would be an "independent coastal state" in December 2020 even if the post-Brexit transition period was extended.

He has previously voiced concerns that the country's departure from the CFP could be delayed.

The Scottish Fisherman's Federation, which has been concerned that CFP allocates two-thirds of fish catches in UK waters to boats from other EU countries, and welcomed his comments, say they support moves to prevent overfishing.

The Scottish Environment LINK union of conservation groups which will on Tuesday outline their call for measures to ensure that the nation's natural environment, wildlife and air and water quality are safeguarded, say "we must not throw the baby out with the bath water" over CFP.

The EU is committed to ending overfishing in European oceans by the year 2020. But as the deadline approaches, latest data reveals that the EU isn’t even close to reaching this target.

The North Sea is one of Europe’s biggest fishing grounds, especially for key commercial species such as cod and haddock. And at present, more than 40% of fish stocks remain overfished.

SEL sees the positives under CFP, which it notes has gone from 90 per cent of stocks being overexploited in 2005 to the present position.

"More work is needed but we are seeing results," says LINK.

"A key issue for our marine environment is fisheries management. A highly political issue which in Scotland focuses on landings – how much quotas Scottish fishermen will get – rather than how do we ensure that we have a system in place that does not deplete fish stocks.

"There are a lot of good outcomes and articles within the common fisheries policy. Let us not think about completely starting from scratch. There is a lot of good in the policy".

SEL said the good parts of CFP covered an "ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management", ensuring there are controls on discarding fish to meet quotas and "an integrated approach to managing fisheries within ecologically meaningful boundaries".

"We would like wasteful discards to be ended. The EU laws already make that an objective. There might be better ways to do that, but we all agree that it is a good thing."

Last month Environment Secretary Michael Gove said a new Fisheries Bill will give the UK Government and devolved administrations the power to manage fisheries more effectively and sustainably.

It will enable the UK to “control who may fish in our waters and on what terms” for the first time since 1973, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs said.

The Bill also gives the UK the power to implement new deals negotiated with the EU and with other coastal states.

Defra said the Scottish Government will receive new powers to regulate its sea fisheries resources to preserve the marine environment, and powers to tackle aquatic animal diseases more quickly.

SEL said: "There Scottish Government have so far committed to a discussion paper on fisheries policy by end of year. There is a UK bill in front of Parliament right now in Westminster. This bill will give powers also to Scottish ministers so regulate fisheries. So it is up to Scotland to live up to commitments for more sustainable fishing practices.

"We need to have a hard look at the CFP and what kind of fisheries policy we want in Scotland.

"At the core of this should be the realisation that we can’t have fish if we don’t have healthy seas.

"It is important that we all make a firm commitment that we want to have healthy seas with sustainably managed stocks. Getting to that position requires collaboration, supporting thriving coastal communities and respecting environmental and ecosystem limits. That is the important outcome from our perspective.

"Cooperation is a key theme as well: fish to not respect boundaries. Around 100 stocks are fished by the UK, including Scottish boats, and by other nations, so the situation is very complex.

"A lot of the fish that come into the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters around Scotland, such as mackerel, spawn in the waters of other EU countries. That emphasises the ecosystem approach by thinking not just about where the fish are caught, but about where they spawn.

"That is where cross-border collaboration is key, in whatever structure we have. We cannot afford to miss this integral point."