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MEP
IN SHETLAND FISHERIES VISIT
13 December 2003
 Scottish
National Party Euro-MP Ian Hudghton undertook a three-day visit to the
Shetland Islands to consult with Fishing Community representatives in
advance of December's crucial meeting of EU Fisheries Ministers.
Considerable economic pain has been inflicted upon
Scotland's Fishing dependent areas by the disastrous outcome of the EU
Council in December 2002 and Shetlanders expressed to the MEP their
feelings of desperate hope that the UK/Scottish Ministers would deliver a
better deal this year.
Mr. Hudghton visited Whalsay for talks with the Shetland
Branch of Fishing SOS, and in Lerwick met with the Shetland Fishermen's
Association and Shetland Oceans Alliance before visiting the North
Atlantic Fisheries College at Scalloway.
Other meetings included a briefing session with Convener
Sandy Cluness of Shetland Islands Council, and a visit to a fish sales and
ships' chandlery business. It was made abundantly clear that the whole
Islnd economy is being seriously affected by the downturn in fishing
opportunities, with shore-based service industries, processors and
suppliers feeling the pinch as well as the whitefish catching sector.
Picture shows Ian Hudghton MEP at Lerwick Harbour with
Shetland SNP spokesperson Willie Ross. |
