Richard Lochhead moves to protect fishing rights

SNP rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead has announced new plans to protect Scotland's fishing quota for future generations.

Key recommendations include:-

• Safeguarding Scotland's traditional fishing rights for now and the future by keeping them in Scotland
• Making sure Scottish fishermen get their fair share of quota providing stability and security so that businesses can plan for the future.
• Making sure fishing quotas are only held by businesses who fish them.
• Encouraging new blood into the industry by seeking to develop a new entrants scheme that will allow new fishermen to access quota.
• Reforming licensing to make it simpler and user-friendly so reducing business costs.

The proposals entitled Safeguarding Scotland's Fishing Rights aim to ensure a long-term future for Scotland's fishing industry.

Launching the Scottish Government consultation, cabinet secretary Richard Lochhead MSP said:

"Fishing provides the lifeblood of many of Scotland's communities and sustains tens of thousands of jobs. It is vital that we take steps to safeguard the historic rights for future generations. This review will help achieve that. The arrangements governing fishing rights are crucial as they provide access to our rich fishing grounds.

"That is why the proposals I have outlined today 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 safeguard Scotland's traditional fishing rights for future generations while encouraging the flexibility and stability necessary for sustainable economic growth.

"The proposals show our commitment to a shared approach in fisheries management. And importantly, they will hopefully encourage new blood into the industry.

"Every time I visit a fishing community in Scotland I am asked to take steps to protect fishing rights for future generations. Today's proposals aim to do just that.

His announcement was welcomed by Jimmy Buchan, star of BBC's trawlermen series and owner of the Amity who said:

"The future of Scotland's fishing communities and the industry that sustains them depends crucially on the fleet having access to sufficient quota. We can no longer afford the loss of quota or the costs imposed by quota speculators.

"With fuel costs at a level that is beginning to threaten the viability of some vessels, action has to be taken to reduce the other costs that vessels have to bear and quota is the most important of these. We welcome this important step by the Scottish Government as it will help reduce the loss of quota to active fishermen and hence the communities in which they live."

SNP President and member of the European Parliament's fisheries committee Ian Hudghton MEP also welcomed the news. He urged fishing communities across scotland to get involved in the consultation as it travels the country over the next few weeks. Mr Hudghton said;