North East of Scotland fish producers and processors are warning that a crisis in the white fish industry is about to wreak catastrophic damage on business and jobs.
Peterhead and Fraserburgh Fish Producers Association fears up to 60% of its members could go to the wall by Christmas because of a severe shortage of supplies.
Will Clark, Association spokesman aid predictions earlier this yerar of a looming processing sector collapse were about to come true.
The warning in May of this year was that the Scottish fishing fleet was facing a days-at-sea crisis that could leave scores of boats tied up in port and put as many as 5,000 shore jobs at risk.
May processors have been forced to cut production and staff numbers, Mr Clark said, Adding “ These are not idle threats. What was warned back in May is happening”.
White fish trawlers used their catching time allocated for this year far more quickly than expected, forcing the Scottish Government to introduce measures to help fisheries stay open throughout the year..
Producers’ organisations have been warning for months that some skippers have quota but no time left to catch it, while others have days-at-sea available but no chance to use them
According to Mr Clark, people, will leave the processing sector in drives when supplies run out.
Chairman of the Scottish White Fish Organisations David Anderson Said North Sea Haddock ,cod, saithe and whiting fisheries were now closed.
Fishing for monkfish and other species was plagued by “structural problems”, he said, adding that west coast of Scotland fisheries had a different set of difficulties to content with.
“You just can not square a circle” said Mr Anderson.
A statement issued by both organisations said: “ The outlook is bleak, with up to 60% of this sector of the industry (Processing) being lost by end of 2010”.
The statement also said a meeting. Involving catchers, agents, and processors and their representatives was being organised for October 13.
It added Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmon and Scottish Fisheries Minister their vision for the White fish industry in Scotland and the practical solutions that government can bring to thus critical situation
