At December Council the Scottish Government has unannounced that it would go extra mile to support the fishermen in their endeavour to new conservation measures. It also did fisheries regulations which were dominated by the future of the west coast fishing communities. It is said that the agreement has considerable challenges but quotas for Scotland’s five top stocks are either being increased or are at levels above last year’s landings.
The government is also taking decisive action to help skippers meet the requirements of new conservation regulations and keep the vessels operating. It is told that a west coast task force will establish a fast-track mechanism to help fishermen facing real financial difficulties access the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead expressed that the authority has successfully averted the threatened closure of west coast fisheries. The measures adopted will be effective in ensuring sustainable cod haddock and whiting fisheries while allowing other crucial fisheries to continue.
Lochead further said that in the current economic climate, a secure future for this vital industry has never been more important. Some of the alternative conservation measures that were agreed will be challenging but, as always, we will be there to help our fishermen, says Lochead.
The EFF programme is targeted to assist with capital investment in the aquaculture, fishing and fish processing industries. It is said that the programme can also support strategic trade initiatives, fisheries dependent communities and Scottish Government and European Community policy initiatives for the sustainable development of fisheries.
