Reduction in fishing days should be avoided

The Scottish Parliament yesterday debated issues relating to the upcoming EU Fisheries Council, where decisions will be taken regarding fishing opportunities for much of Scotland’s fleet next year.

Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur took the opportunity to raise with the Fisheries Secretary, Richard Lochhead the need to avoid any further reduction in the amount of time the fleet, including boats from Orkney, are able to spend at sea.

Commenting after the debate, Mr McArthur said: “Recent years have seen an improvement in a number of the key stocks for our fishing fleet. In large part this is thanks to the efforts of our fishermen in avoiding areas with high levels of juvenile cod and the use of more selective gear.

“At the same time, however, the European Commission has systematically reduced the days our fishermen have to catch their quotas.  This appears to bear less and less relation to the actual state of the stocks.

“The plea from the industry is that the Scottish Government must resist any further reduction in effort at this year’s December Council.  In response to my direct question, it was reassuring to hear the Minister agree that he could not sign up to a deal which included a cut in days.”