Fishermen fear losing quotas in shake-up

minister offers reassurance to trawlermen at packed meeting

By Ryan Crighton

Published:

North-east trawlermen fear Richard Lochhead’s planned overhaul of the management of Scottish fisheries could see them stripped of quotas which they lease out.

At a packed meeting in Peterhead’s Waterside Inn yesterday, dozens of fishermen turned out to voice their opinion on the Scottish Government’s proposed shake-up of quota and licensing laws.

Among the proposals are plans to make Scottish vessels land 35% of their catch at Scottish ports, as well as safeguarding Scotland's traditional fishing rights in the future by encouraging them to be kept in Scotland. The meeting was part of a consultation – Safeguarding Our Fishing Rights: The Future of Quota Management and Licensing in Scotland – which aims to give Holyrood greater control of fish stocks.

The government says the new proposals intend to put fishermen at the heart of fish quota management and help strengthen coastal communities for generations to come.

Fisheries Minister Mr Lochhead wants to make sure fishing quotas are only held by businesses who fish them.

Local fishermen told officials yesterday that they were concerned that quotas they own, but do not fish themselves, could be taken away from them under changes to stewardship rights.

However, they were reassured this would not be the case.

Speaking at the launch of the consultation earlier in the week, Mr Lochhead said: “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.”