A ten year ban on fishing would solve the European fish shortage

 A fishing ban lasting one to 10 years depending on species, would allow North Sea and European stocks to recover and could generate billions of pounds within a decade, a think tank has claimed.  A study published by the London-based New Economics Foundation (NEF) claims paying trawlermen to sit at home for 10 years would be cost-effective. But fishermen’s groups, including the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, dismissed the report, claiming stocks were already recovering and such a draconian freeze could lead to the collapse of the entire infrastructure supporting fishing. The NEF study looked at 51 out of 150 commercial fish stocks, including hake, mackerel, whiting and Icelandic cod. It said most could be restored to sustainable levels within five years, with some varieties, such as mackerel and herring, needing less than a year.  But some stocks of cod and halibut would take at least nine years to replenish. The think tank claimed that £9.16billion of private money would be needed to manage the freeze, but it would generate a profit of £4.43billion by 2023. The private “investment” would ensure “zero unemployment” among fishermen and would protect against depreciation of vessels and equipment, they said. The study claimed: “By 2052, the returns are £14 for every £1 invested.” The study has received little support from the fishing industry and is unlikely to be used to set policy, wether it makes scientific and economic sense or not.   Source: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/346056