Paying tribute to the bravery of Scotland’s fishermen

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael, has paid tribute to the bravery of Scotland’s fishermen as he met representatives from the industry in Orkney today.

Mr Carmichael, who is also the MP for the Northern Isles, is also due to meet members of the Stromness lifeboat crew who answered a mayday call from Spanish trawlermen who got into difficulties off Westray earlier this week.

The visits come ahead of Monday’s EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, where ministers from member states will agree catch limits for the main EU fish stocks for 2015.

The UK will be represented by fisheries minister George Eustice. Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government’s Fisheries Secretary, will also be part of the official delegation.

Mr Carmichael said: “No one who represents island communities like Orkney and Shetland, as I do, needs reminding of the bravery of the fishermen who go to sea and regularly put themselves in harm’s way in order to bring food to our tables.

“This week’s weather is a timely illustration of the risks they run. I pay tribute to them and also to the Stromness lifeboat crew who rescued a Spanish trawler when it got into difficulties on Wednesday.

“Next week, the UK Government will be fighting hard at the EU council to make sure all of this country’s fishermen get a fair deal in 2015.”