According to the news report SFF admits that decentralisation of CFP is vital for a sustainable future. Responding to the release today (21 December) of the Scottish Government’s response to the European Commission’s Green Paper on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, expressed his comments.
He told that the main purpose of the CFP has always been based on the exploitation of living marine resources that will provide for sustainable economic, environmental and social conditions. Armstrong opined that CFP has failed to meet this aim, making reform essential. They would strongly argue that the lifeblood of sustainable fishing has to be profitable industry. The one big block to achieving that objective has been the centralised micro-management.
It is expressed that the best way to meet the aim of sustainable harvesting of our wonderful natural resource is to properly involve the professionals with first hand knowledge. Armstrong said that for Scotland, it is essential that CFP reform includes the assurance that our fishermen will always have access to stocks based on our historical fishing rights.
