Divide & Rule?
There is a real concern that the recent election of the SNP Government in Scotland will seriously jeopardise the interests of fishermen in the rest of the UK.
The SNP is looking for the new Scottish Government to take the lead role in UK fisheries matters, given its claims of the importance and dominance of the Scottish industry.
However, according to NFFO chief executive Barrie Deas, these claims are rather overblown. While it is true that Scotland has two-thirds of the volume of UK landings, when the value of the catch and number of fishermen employed are taken into account, the split between Scotland and the rest of the UK is pretty even.
“Our concern is that the tail will wag the dog,” said Mr Deas.
The NFFO raised these concerns directly with Scots fisheries minister Richard Lochhead at the recent Fishing 2007 show in Glasgow. In response, the minister stated that he believed fishermen outwith Scotland would benefit as the new Scottish government would place fishing much higher up the policy agenda.
However, Mr Deas said: “On the one part the SNP are being divisive and parochial, and on the other they are saying everyone will benefit. That is an equation that does not balance.
“We fear that the Scottish Government will pick a fight with Defra at every possible opportunity because the ultimate game plan is independence.
“The current system works and we will be pressing our fishing minister to make sure he holds fast. The UK industry faces huge challenges in the form of an intransigent EC, effort control and the cod recovery plan, and there is no desire for unwelcome diversions.
“There is a need for us to work collaboratively with all EC member states . But if the UK can’t even manage this within its own boundaries, then the future of such collaborative work will be thrown into jeopardy.” |
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