On the eve of the meeting with European Commissioner Joe Borg in Brussels, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said that the Seafish Economic Impact Assessment has made clear the economic fragility of certain sections of the Scottish fleet. He further told that at the recent Scottish Fisheries Council the industry expressed fears that significant changes to current arrangements could prove financially unsustainable.
Lochhead informed that he is grateful that Commissioner Borg agreed to meet at such short notice. He is keen to ensure that the Commission is made fully aware of the industry’s concerns and to discuss what can be done to alleviate them. Lochead is optimist this year and look ahead to defend Scotland’s interests across all sectors of the fleet.
According to Lochhead despite the economic downturn, Scottish fleets have shown remarkable commitment in terms of adopting innovative solutions. Scotland has demonstrated international leadership – adopting real time closures to protect juvenile cod and cod spawning areas and selective gear to allow cod to escape from prawn fishing nets, admit Lochhead.
