Help shape future of our fishing sector – Broch plea

Communities urged to discuss radical review of fish quota management

By Jamie Buchan

Published:

A north-east community was last night given the chance to help shape the future of Scotland’s fishing industry.

Fraserburgh residents, skippers and deckhands met with Scottish Government officials to discuss a radical review of the management of the country’s fish quota.

The proposals – published for consultation in May and due to be implemented in January – put fishermen at the heart of fish-quota management, and help strengthen coastal communities for future generations.

Last night the latest of a series of public meetings was held in Fraserburgh, widely regarded as the Scottish town most dependent on the fishing industry.

The forum was chaired by Jim Watson, Mary McAllan and Alan Gibb, of the Scottish Government’s marine directorate.

Around 60 people – nearly all fishermen – turned out to hear the presentation at the town’s Fishermen’s Mission.

Mrs McAllan said: “We are travelling the coast, holding a total of 30 meetings and it’s tremendous we’ve been getting a good turnout.

“It’s all about moving these proposals forward but not by getting a bunch of civil servants sitting in Edinburgh to come up with ideas.

“It’s important that we get people from the industry involved from the word go.

“So far the feedback has been generally good. Initially there’s a bit of an intake of breath – it’s very complex and there’s a lot to take in – but once we’ve managed to discuss things in more detail, the mood certainly lifts.”

The key recommendations include making sure fishing quotas are only held by businesses who fish them, and licensing could also be reformed to make it simpler and easier to use.

One of the main issues last night were plans to encourage fresh blood into the industry by seeking to develop a new entrants scheme.

Mrs McAllan said: “It’s a problem that the age profile of the industry has gone up in quite alarming terms.

“But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. We have some work to do on this and we need the public and the industry’s help.”

Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said the meetings were crucial to retain fishing communities’ birthright for future generations.

“The proposals set out an ambitious new path for Scotland which will allow arrangements to be tailored to Scotland’s needs,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Lochhead said that the proposals were designed to allow Scotland to retain its fishing rights, while allowing close working relationships with the UK to continue.

The consultation runs until Thursday, August 21.