First Minister Alex Salmond pledged last night that fishing would be a “national priority” in an independent Scotland.
Speaking exclusively to the Press and Journal on the eve of a visit to Peterhead today, the SNP leader outlined five “key gains” for the industry which would be delivered with a Yes vote.
Mr Salmond said quotas would be protected, Scottish seafood would be promoted, the sector would be given greater emphasis while fishermen could enjoy a “fairer share” of the EU fisheries budget and direct representation in Brussels.
With less than two weeks to go until the nation goes to the polls, the Aberdeenshire East MSP will be back in familiar constituency surroundings for a campaign visit to the Peterhead fish market auction house today.
Mr Salmond said: “A Yes vote is a huge opportunity for Scotland’s fishing industry.
“It means that never again will it be considered ‘expendable’ – as Westminster described it.
“Scotland’s fishing and seafood sectors are great industries and play an important part in our economic success.
“As such, they are many times more important to Scotland than to the UK as a whole, and for that reason they will be a much greater priority in an independent Scotland – indeed they will be a national priority.”
Mr Salmond predicted that the industry could “flourish” in an independent Scotland.
He added: “A vote for independence will mean that we can protect our fishing sector and our rich heritage as an eminent fishing nation for this and future generations by stopping our quota being sold outside Scotland.
“Indeed, without independence, there is no way of guaranteeing quota will not be sold outwith Scotland.”
Mr Salmond argued Scotland was already one of the EU’s “leading” fishing nations, with waters which account for 20% of the EU catch, generating up to £500million for the economy each year.
He suggested Scotland could have a greater influence within the EU on fishing issues, and secure a better financial deal.
“Unlike the UK Government which has sought to reduce the size of these funds, we will fight for a fair deal where the funding Scotland receives is relative to the size of the industry we have.”
Better Together, meanwhile, has pointed out that the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has described the recent EU deal for fishermen, negotiated by the UK, as “hard fought” and resulting in “notable successes”.