SNP
President
and
European
Fisheries
Committee
member
Ian
Hudghton
MEP
today
welcomed
the
announcement
by
Cabinet
Secretary
Richard
Lochhead
of a
major
review
of the
management
of
Scotland's
fishing
quota.
The
review,
which
will
ensure
that
Scotland's
fishing
rights
remain
with
fishermen
in
Scotland,
that
they are
held by
fishermen
who
actually
fish and
that
proposals
will be
brought
forward
to
provide
quota
for new
fishermen
will
also end
the
prospect
of
privatised
fishing
quotas
in
Scotland.
Speaking
from
Strasbourg
where he
has been
marking
EU
Maritime
Day Mr
Hudghton
said;
"Richard
Lochhead
is
taking
welcome
steps to
protect
our
fishing
rights
for
future
generations,
to stop
privatisation
of
fishing
rights
and to
bring
new
blood
into the
fishing
industry.
"Scotland's
fishing
communities
are a
vital
part of
our
economy
and
today's
review
offers
practical
measures
to
ensure
the long
term
sustainability
of our
fishing
communities
and
fishing
industry.
"Fishing
quota is
precious
is
Scotland
and the
prospect
of
privatised
quotas
was
causing
real
concern
in our
fishing
communities.
Similarly
many
active
fishermen
find it
deeply
disappointing
that
some
quota is
allocated
to
people
who do
not
actively
fish.
"The
SNP is
delivering
on our
promise
to
support
Scotland's
fishing
industry.
The
Scottish
Government
has
shown
it's
commitment
to the
industry,
delivering
innovative
solutions
and
securing
the best
deal in
a decade
from the
annual
fisheries
negotiations.
"Today's
proposals
are
another
sign of
our
commitment
to
Scotland's
fishermen.
This
review
will be
good
news for
the
industry
and for
the
communities
that
rely on
fishing
for jobs
and
income."
