The Scottish Government today unveiled a plan to secure the future of the country’s fishing industry.
More than £12 million is in place to support the “4 Pillar” plan, which includes funding for fleet modernisation.
The plan was unveiled by Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Loch head in Edinburgh.
Mr Lochhead told the Scottish Fisheries Council (SFC) “Our plan will help steer the industry through both the short-tern and long-term challenges and into hopefullt more profitable and calmer waters.
“Currently, a combination of ill-fitting restrictions from Brussels and the economic climate has led to parts of the fishing industry facing the perfect storm.
“The innovation measures we are taking in Scotland to help the fishing fleet cut costs and protect stocks will also be backed up with steps to maximise the value of the catch”.
Mr Lochhead said the present review of European fisheries policy allowed the opportunity to put the plan into place, The four pillars of the plan are intended to improve the international framework for fisheries management: Manage Scotland’s own fishing quota: promote sustainability: work with industry to maximise catch value and make sure Scotland has a resilient fleet crewed by a skilled fishermen.
The Minister continued “Scottish fishing policy must be about fisheries conservation on the one hand and supporting our fishing communities on the other. It must also celebrate and protect an industry that brings a healthy and valuable food to our tables. The setting of annual quotas and associated problems of discards , the cod recovery plan and the current emergency measures on the West Coast of Scotland are examples of how poorly designed regulations can exacerbate difficult fisheries management issues”.
“Our 4 Pillar plan is a survival toolkit for the current economic climate but also much more. It contain actions that focus on changing the regime. Less rigid effort restrictions, increased scope for catch quotas and the return of decision making to member states as part of the Common Fisheries Policy reform are important priorities for Scotland”..
