Western Isles MSP argues European fishing proposals are flawed

Western Isles  MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today criticises proposals from the European Commission on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy, which could open the door to European countries trading in fishing quotas.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“The Common Fisheries Policy in its present form is untenable, as every fisherman in Scotland knows. Therefore, while I welcome the European Commission’s willingness to make changes to the policy, much of what they have proposed today is unhelpful to the Scottish industry.

“In particular I remain concerned about the idea of countries trading in fish quotas, with all the potential that has for Scottish fishermen, not least in the Western Isles, to be squeezed further from their traditional fishing grounds and for quota to end up in the hands of multinational companies.

“While there are some elements of the proposals today that can be welcomed, such as the aspiration for greater regional control of fisheries, there is not much by way of detail.

“Above all, the proposals fail to recognise the many conservation measures which Scottish fishermen have been making. Indeed, the Commission indicate the proposals would result in a 20% reduction in the size of the Scottish fishing fleet. The Scottish Government will certainly be arguing that Scotland’s fishermen deserve a better deal than this, and indeed the Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead has already indicated he will be arguing for change to these proposals.”

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