Fishers to be asked opinions
meeting will be part of management review
Published:
NORTH-EAST fishermen are being asked to outline their hopes for the future of the industry at a special Scottish Government meeting on Friday.
A public meeting will be held at Peterhead as part of an ongoing review of the management of Scotland’s fish quota.
New proposals, published by the government in May, intend to put fishermen “at the heart” of fish quota management, provide greater certainty to fishermen in Scotland and help strengthen coastal communities for generations to come.
They include plans to make sure fishing quotas are only held by businesses who fish them, as well as schemes to encourage new blood into the industry.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Fishing provides the lifeblood of many of Scotland's communities and sustains tens of thousands of jobs. It is vital we consider how we can best safeguard our fishing communities' birthright for future generations. My hope is that our review will help achieve that.
“The arrangements governing fishing rights are crucial as they provide access to our rich fishing grounds. There therefore must be benefits for the current generation of fishermen but we need to ensure that these benefits are available to future generations as well.
“I would call on everyone in Peterhead to come along to have their say on this vitally important issue – this is an opportunity to help shape Scotland's fishing rights for future generations.
“That is why 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 help safeguard Scotland's traditional fishing rights for future generations while encouraging the flexibility and stability necessary for sustainable economic growth.
“Every time I visit a fishing community in Scotland I am asked to take steps to protect fishing rights for future generations. Our proposals aim to do just that.”
The meeting will be chaired by officials from the Scottish Government's marine directorate and will be held at the Waterside Inn Hotel on Fraserburgh Road.
