Lochhead’s fish quotas proposals raise storm among political parties

Fisheries Minister accused of picking fight with Westminster as he launches consultation

By Keith Findlay

Published:

Scotland would take full control of its fish quotas under new proposals revealed yesterday by Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead.

Industry chiefs were still poring over the details of a lengthy consultation document last night but one leading figure in the producers’ sector said it amounted to a total separation of decision-making for Scotland’s quota allocations.

The reaction from south of the border and other Scottish political parties was hostile, with one MSP accusing Mr Lochhead of picking a fight with Westminster.

Launching a three-month consultation on the proposals, the minister said they represented a major overhaul for fisheries management and would safeguard fishing rights for future generations.

Key aims include making sure Scottish fishermen get their fair share of quota, ensuring allocations are held only by people who use them, and boosting recruitment to the industry through an initiative giving new fishers access to quota.

The measures proposed include the establishment of “stewardship rights", with fixed quota allocation (FQA) units, which give access to a share of the annual allocated quota, being managed by the Scottish Government in consultation with the industry.

Holyrood would make all the decisions on how the quota, which is agreed annually in Brussels between the UK and other European Union member states, is shared and used.

The consultation paper adds that if fishing rights are not used, or give no “social and economic benefit to Scottish fishing communities”, the Scottish Government could reallocate the FQAs and quota following consultation.

Mr Lochhead said this would give Scots full control over the trading and leasing of quota and none of it could be transferred anywhere else without the new holder being able to show a “beneficial economic link” to Scotland’s fishing industry.

He added: “Fishing provides the lifeblood of many of Scotland’s communities and sustains tens of thousands of jobs. Arrangements governing fishing rights are crucial as they provide access to our rich fishing grounds.

“The proposals I have outlined set out an ambitious new path for Scotland which will allow arrangements to be tailored to Scottish needs.

“They will put in place new arrangements that will safeguard Scotland’s traditional fishing rights for future generations, while encouraging the flexibility and stability that is necessary for sustainable economic growth.”

Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation chief executive Iain MacSween said: “The Scottish Government is now taking power of quotas in an attempt to ensure our industry has a long-term future.”

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong said he would be scouring the consultation paper to ensure the new system met the industry’s needs.

“Quota is the blood in the veins of the fishing industry so any changes to its management will get our full attention,” he said.

North-east Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles urged the SNP administration to “focus on supporting the fishing industry rather than picking a fight with the UK Government”.

Jim Murphy, the UK Minister for Europe, said the move was another example of the Scottish Government “trying to pick and choose” elements of the devolution settlement.

Farms and Fishing Minister Michel Barnier said the government will give fishermen 110million euro (£88million) by the end of the year and pay a total of 310million euro (£248million) in aid over two years instead of three as laid out in a previously planned aid programme.