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Anger over EU fish catch deal
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Europe's fishing communities are counting the cost after the European Union imposed the most savage cuts yet to the industry. On Friday the EU announced cod catches are to be slashed by 45 percent in 2003 while the amount of time fishing boats can spend on the water will be dramatically reduced. The European Commission originally wanted to reduce cod catches by 80 percent amid concerns North Sea stocks were virtually extinct. A similar 45 percent quota cut will apply to hake, where stocks are also dangerously low. The new measures come into force on a temporary basis from February 1 until July 2003 when a final recovery plan for both hake and cod comes into effect. The idea of tying up large numbers of boats for weeks on end -- because of the quota cuts -- dismayed countries such as Spain and France, the two largest EU fishing fleets. There was anger too in England and Scotland, where it is feared fishermen could go bankrupt. But EU fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler insisted that the choice was between savage cuts now to give cod stocks time to recover, or no fish at all for the fleet in future. "We have succeeded today in doing something which has never been seen in the history of the EU, which is reform of the fisheries sector and the Common Fisheries Policy," Fischler told a news conference after the talks on Friday. "This decision was far from easy. It also means there will be a bitter pill to swallow in the short term. We want to bring cod back to an acceptable level." Fischler conceded that all countries had been forced to make painful compromises to reach the deal, which he said was urgent to address the desperate stock levels of cod and related species. Germany and Sweden were the only nations to vote against it. He said: "For countries like Britain and Denmark, it will be very difficult to accept these measures. But they have said yes, because they are aware of their responsibilities. "Scientists have been demanding these measures for 12 years now. Eventually we have managed to achieve what our neighbours Norway did some time ago." But fishermen were furious at the decision, fearing it will cost thousands of jobs. In Scotland, the Scottish National Party's Richard Lochhead said: "This deal is anti-fish, anti-fisherman and anti-Scotland.
"Our fishing communities will be utterly desperate and furious, given that the Scottish industry, which has bent over backwards to conserve fish stocks, has nevertheless taken the biggest hit." The Scottish industry supports around 44,000 jobs. Alex Smith, president of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said: "It is immoral to treat people like this." UK Fisheries minister Elliot Morley said the deal would kickstart fish stock recovery. He added: "Although painful now, in the future this could be seen as a turning point in a developing fisheries management based on sound conservation and sustainability principles."
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