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Fishing is Executive priority, says Lochhead |
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Friday, 25 May 2007 |
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead has said it is time for a fresh start for Scottish fisheries, which is a key priority for the new Scottish Executive.
Speaking at the Fish 2007 Exhibition in Glasgow, Lochhead said: “Fishing has a central role in Scotland's history and heritage. It is the lifeblood for many of our coastal communities. It also provides tens of thousands of jobs and generates hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish economy not only the fleets but also the landings, harbours, processing, food, retail and restaurant sectors.
"Fishing is fundamental to our national economic interest and the social wellbeing of our communities. We will give it the support it deserves and push for improvements at every level. We will be constructive in our approaches and seek to build consensus at all levels, building on progress already made.
Scotland's fishing zone covers 328,930 square kilometres, accounting for 60 per cent of the UK's fishing zone.
Lochhead added: "Scotland has the largest fishing zone of any single EU country and, importantly, the largest part of Europe's productive and fertile northern fishing grounds.
"For too long Scottish fishing has not been treated as a priority. The new Scottish Government will be relentless in its pursuit of the Scottish fishing interest at all levels.
"That means better representation at UK and European level so that the voice of Scotland is clearly heard. And we need an honest and informed debate on the ills of the CFP.
"We need a system that works with and not around fishermen and one where fishermen and fishing communities have a genuine voice in decision making.
"This will be a the core of our new Convention on the Future of Scotland's Fishing Communities - actively involving and listening to all the voices in those communities."
Lochhead also announced a new industry/science partnership, which will help develop existing collaboration between the industry and scientists in Scotland further. This will be led by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and the Fisheries Research Services, and shall look at developing new fisheries, reducing environmental impact of fishing and providing extra data for stock assessments.
He said: "I am pleased to announce a new industry-science partnership programme. It will build on existing links between fishermen and scientists but will deliver more in depth research, more quickly, in the areas identified as priority topics by the industry."
Green co-convener Robin Harper called on the Executive to ensure that regeneration of fish stocks and following scientific advice are placed at the heart of any approach to fishing policy.
According to the Green Party, unless there are healthy fish stocks, there won't be any fishing industry in Scotland. Harper also said that although the Common Fisheries Policy has its problems, it is reform, not scrapping it that is needed, and that the biggest problem for fish stocks is the persistent political decisions over twenty years to over-rule scientific advice, leading to the demise of fish stocks.
The Green Party wants to see regeneration zones put in place and more financial support to fishing communities to assist them through transition whilst fish stocks recover.
Harper said: "For over a quarter of a century the EU political system has failed fish stocks, and as a result fishing opportunity. Every year the Commission has produced research-based recommendations on fishing effort, and every year the political pressures have undermined sensible policies that would have guaranteed at least 50% more fish in European waters today if the recommendations had been followed and enforced.
"We need to break out of this yearly round of nationally-biased self-serving bargaining and backroom deals, get our European partners to enforce regulations, rid our seas of illegal fishing, and create a sustainable future for our fish stocks, our fishing industry and fishing communities."
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Last Updated ( Friday, 25 May 2007 )
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