Scottish Fishermen’s Federation president Alan Coghill and chief executive Bertie Armstrong met with Richard Benyon, the new UK Fisheries Minister, to discuss their continue relationship which was started before the election. The main purpose of this meeting was to start a new and closer relationship between the Scottish industry representatives and the minister and his team representing the UK as a member state at international negotiations.
Among other issue SFF discussed the catching opportunity for next year and the automatic impact the long term plan for cod will have on the number of days that vessels can put to sea. International negotiations also topped the agenda with a particular focus on the immediate future and what can be done about the unacceptable behaviour of Iceland and the Faeroes over the catching of mackerel.
Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said that he discussed the need for beneficial reform of the CFP, with emphasis on the achievement of meaningful delegation of responsibility away from central control in Brussels. Bertie Armstrong said that the new minister has begun his involvement with the industry while in opposition, he has a comprehensive grasp of the difficulties facing us and has expressed an enthusiastic willingness to engage on behalf of the UK fishing industry.
