"SCOTTISH FLEET'S EFFORTS MUST BE RECOGNISED"

 

SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP today (Wednesday) reacted to the European Commission proposals to reduce the days at sea allocated to Scottish fishing boats.  The threat comes in the Commission's annual fisheries proposal ahead of this December's Fisheries Council.  In drafting their suggested regulation the Commission has failed to take fully into account the voluntary "real time closures" scheme currently being operated by the Scottish fleet in conjunction with the Scottish government.

 

Mr Hudghton commented:

 

"The Commission's proposal marks the beginning of the annual circus which culminates in the December fisheries council.  For almost quarter of a century this farce has been played out every year - whilst stocks continue to be thrown back into the sea and fishing communities see their livelihoods go to the wall.

 

"This year something has changed.  The Scottish fishing industry, together with the Scottish government, has embarked upon a voluntary scheme whereby fishing grounds are closed when juvenile stocks are prevalent.  However the Commission remain too inflexible to respond adequately to this, and continue to punish the Scottish fleet despite their best efforts.

 

"At a time when the Scottish fleet should be receiving plaudits for their conservation efforts, the Commission seems intent on pushing them further to the brink.

 

"Today's Commission proposal must not be allowed to undermine the Scottish fleet's efforts to achieve full sustainability. These proposed cuts in days at sea must be resisted by Ministers at the December Council".