Following the announcement by DEFRA of its £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has branded the £28 million that gets channelled to Scotland as a ‘consolation prize for the government giving away access to UK waters until 2038 for as yet nothing in return.’
According to the SFF, this gives EU vessels access to fish worth £6 billion in UK waters.
‘Defra said it would invest in new technology and equipment to modernise the fleet and work with the industry to target investment where it matters most,’ commented SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald.
‘Five months on, Defra having held only one meeting with industry, we’re told that the fund will be allocated according to the Barnet formulam due to an opaque change in policy wthin the Treasury. Scotland’s share of fisheries funds was set at 47%. That has now been reduced to less than 8% at the stroke of a pen and with no discussion.’
‘This has gone from being a colsolation prize to being a booby prize,’ she said, comenting that it is hard to feel that the present government cares about the Scottish fishing industry.
‘We are disappointed that the Scottish Office did not stand up for Scottish fishing industry over this decision.’
