SWFPA chief Mike Park condemns ICES zero cod catch advice as “mad”, warning it could devastate Scottish fleets
The Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association (SWFPA) has issued a sharp rebuke to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) following its latest recommendation for a zero catch of Northern Shelf cod in 2026.
Mike Park, chief executive of the SWFPA, described the advice as “a mad proposal from an organisation that is fast losing any credibility.” He warned that the recommendation, if implemented, would be catastrophic for Scottish fleets.
“In the mixed fisheries that our vessels operate in, it is impossible to catch any fish without catching cod so this recommendation if implemented would wipe out the fleet at the stroke of a pen,” Park said.
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He accused ICES of overreaching beyond its scientific remit, claiming the advice is based on an “ultra precautionary approach” to rebuilding the southern sub-stock of cod, while disregarding the broader reality of the fishery.
“Governments will need to treat this advice with great caution as any acceptance of the advice could have very serious consequences indeed,” Park added.
