The new chair of an inquiry team established to identify alternatives to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and return more decision-making powers over fishing to Scotland officially took up his post today.
The Scottish Government’s Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management has been tasked with developing models of managing Scotland’s fisheries that would provide alternatives to the Common Fisheries Policy.
The announcement comes ahead of the forthcoming publication by the European Commission of its Green Paper on the future of the CFP. The Scottish Government is keen to present an alternative to the CFP that is suited to Scotland’s needs.
Ministers believe alternative fisheries policies could provide greater economic stability to fishermen and processors, while substantially reducing discards and enhancing the reputation and marketability of Scottish seafood.
Speaking after chairing his first meeting, Alan Campbell said:
“Throughout 2009 we will be examining alternative models of fisheries management to establish what will best suit the circumstances of the Scottish fishing sector.
“Our aim is to produce a comprehensive and wide-ranging report which maps out a path to greater profitability and economic stability for Scotland’s fishermen while securing the long term sustainability of stocks. Alongside the rest of the inquiry team, I am relishing the challenge.”
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“At the heart of our objection to the discredited Common Fisheries Policy is that the people best placed to protect our precious fishing stocks are those with the greatest interest in them. It is fundamentally wrong for landlocked countries, and nations with no interest in crucial Scottish fisheries, to have a decisive say over our waters. Greater power over fishing policy must be returned to Scotland.
“Our fishing communities suffer annually from the poor decision-making that emanates from the CFP. Most recently we were fighting to stop a proposal to close our West of Scotland fishing grounds and every year decisions on quotas are taken through the night. It is chaotic, highly unsatisfactory and not in the interests of our fishing communities or fisheries conservation.
“There must be a better way and that is why, rather than simply complain about the CFP, we want to identify viable alternatives.
“The eminent inquiry team, led by Alan Campbell, will take evidence from the industry and other experts and recommend a new approach so we can provide a brighter future for the industry. That is crucial for all of Scotland given the importance of the £350 million fishing industry to our national economy and the social fabric of so many communities. We will use the conclusions of the inquiry in current discussions on the future of the CFP and beyond
“We have already shown what we can do with greater powers. Last year, when we were given some responsibility for fisheries management in relation to days at sea, we developed trail blazing conservation schemes that other countries are now adopting.
“With even more power, we could give greater economic stability to fishermen and processors, secure the long term sustainability of stocks, and enhance the reputation and marketability of Scottish seafood.”
As part of its activity, the inquiry will undertake to gather oral and written evidence from a variety of sources. These may include fisheries organisations and marine stakeholders, NGOs, local authorities, fisheries representatives from within and outwith the EU, scientific advisers, Scottish and UK government officials, and European Commission officials.
The inquiry will have a life-span of one year and will report its findings in advance of the appointment of a new EU Fisheries Commissioner in late 2009. It is envisaged that this will take the form of a written publication which reports the conclusions of the inquiry’s consideration of alternative models of fisheries management.
The report will be considered by Ministers and by the Scottish Fisheries Council, which will further advise Ministers on stakeholder views of the report. It will help inform Scotland’s submission to the Commission’s review of the CFP.
The remit of the Inquiry is to identify and develop alternative models of fisheries management to the Common Fisheries Policy which would best suit the circumstances of the Scottish fishing sector, optimise the benefits for Scottish communities and the marine environment, and best meet the stated objectives of the Scottish Fisheries Council.
Its full membership is:
Alan Campbell (Chair) – recently Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire Council and former Chief Executive of Grampian Regional Council
David Symes – Reader Emeritus, University of Hull
Professor Ian Boyd – Gatty Marine Research Institute, St Andrews University
Kjartan Hoydal – Secretary, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission
Sandy West – Don Fishing Company
