Scottish fisheries minister Fergus Ewing MSP has claimed the Scottish Government has always been against the controversial Common Fisheries Policy.
This was despite political opponents arguing the SNP wished to remain in the scheme by staying in the EU.
Mr Ewing attended yesterday’s Skipper Expo at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
The annual conference enjoyed one of its biggest turn-outs, with more than 200 exhibitors.
Mr Ewing officially opened the event with Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong.
When asked if opposition to the CFP was the official stance of the Scottish Government and the SNP, Mr Ewing said: “It always has been.
“It was the Tories under Mrs Thatcher who took us in, fishermen’s interests were considered expendable.
“We have always been consistent in this regard, and we have suggested that there should be a compromised deal of membership of the European Free Trade Area.”
“Mike Russell MSP, the minister for Europe, put out a paper setting out a compromised proposal which is still on the table, which would allow us quite patently to come out of the CFP.
North-east conservative MSP Peter Chapman said: “It’s an untenable position. All they can do is scaremonger and try and put doubts into fishermen’s minds as to what the Conservative party will do.
“But it’s very clear when you read Andrea Leadsom’s letter to Bertie Armstrong that we’re coming out of the EU, we’re coming out of the CFP, and we’ll take control of our waters out to 200 miles.”
