UK fishers in line for compensation following government decision to restrict pollock catch

U.K. fishers most impacted by new zero-catch restrictions on pollock could be compensated under a new scheme announced by U.K. Environment Secretary Steve Barclay. The move follows government engagement with industry to best determine how to support the sector after making its decision to only allow pollock to be caught as bycatch.“I fully recognize the impact that the bycatch-only advice has had on pollock fishers in Southwest [England] and have, therefore, acted to provide support to those most affected,” Barclay said in a statement. “The compensation scheme will support these hardworking fishers and provide them with an opportunity to move away from a reliance on the pollock fishery as we work to further support the recovery of the stock.”According to the U.K. Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), the scheme will see around 50 vessel owners, who can no longer target pollock in 2024, forcing some to cease operations and lose all or some of their income, ...