Give local fishermen control of local fisheries: Scott

Control of fisheries management should be wrestled away from EU bureaucrats and put in the hands of local fishermen, MSP Tavish Scott has argued.

He said the fine words and soaring rhetoric of Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform must be turned into real local management.

Speaking before fisheries minister Richard Lochhead made a statement on regionalisation of the CFP today Mr Scott said: “Fish stocks are recovering. Cod is plentiful in the North Sea and other species are in better health based on the independent science of the Marine Centre in Shetland and other reputable sources.

“Fisheries policy must follow these encouraging signs. Instead of the disastrous centralised Brussels controlled CFP there is a great opportunity to create real local fisheries management around the coast. Management that involves local fishermen and scientists talking real action to help both stocks and the financial viability of fishing vessels and their crews.

“Today in Parliament I want to ensure that instead of yet more rhetoric we understand what our government is actually going to do for the industry and fish stocks.

“With real power of policy and practical management in the hands of the Scottish government the days of blaming everyone else are over. It is time to act decisively on behalf of the industry.”