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Huge fall revealed in the size of Scotland's fishing fleet

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Published Date: 08 June 2009
By Craig Brown
THE number of Scottish fishermen has fallen by more than a quarter in the past 12 years, a new report on the industry reveals.
The latest figures show there are now only 5,448 fishermen fishing in Scottish waters, a drop of 26 per cent since 1997. The statistics are part of a new report on the Scottish fishing industry by seafood authority Seafish.

The body claimed the drop showed pressure on fishing stocks around Scotland had eased and that it now had a fishing fleet that was proportionate to the catches available.

The report claimed Scotland was "leading the way" in sustainable fishing, with one quarter of its mid-water fleet now part of the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme, while 90 per cent of its pelagic landings, such as mackerel and herring, were certified under the Marine Stewardship Council – which monitors and protects fish stocks.

Scottish Government Cabinet secretary for the environment and rural affairs, Richard Lochhead, said: "The Scottish fleet's sustainable fishing practices mean that consumers can buy Scottish fish safe in the knowledge that they are doing their bit to preserve our pristine marine environment."







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  • Last Updated: 07 June 2009 11:47 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Sea fishing industry
 
1

Am Fògarrach,

08/06/2009 01:49:54
When Scotland becomes independent, it should withdraw from the EU (or decline to join if not automatically a member). Then Scotland could keep foreign fishermen out of its waters, as Norway and Iceland do now. The Scottish fisheries industry could grow moderately and still maintain sustainable fisheries, as Norway and Iceland have demonstrated.

The UK government decimated the Scottish fisheries industry by agreeing to the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. The Callaghan government decided the Scottish fisheries industry was "expendable".

Unfortunately the The SNP plan to remain in the EU when Scotland becomes independent. They are still living in the past, before the EU developed megalomania. But there is still hope the SNP will wake up and see the light.

2

Jim A,

08/06/2009 06:22:19
Of course they will stay in the EU. They would be daft to leave it. All those Eruos pouring in to help a new nation start up. And if they have any sense they will apply for anything thay can get, and when the money stops coming in tell them to get lost.
3

Dr. James Wilkie,

Edinburgh 08/06/2009 11:38:01
#2 You have no idea what you are writing about. Scotland is a massive net contributor to the EU, and pays in many times more than it ever gets out. All those much-trumpeted EU grants and loans are only the return of a mere fraction of Scotland's own money that is being poured into Brussels.

There will be no need for an independent Scotland to "leave" the European Union, since it will never have been an individual member. All that it has to do is to refrain from applying for membership.

It suffices to join the European Economic Area (EEA) and rejoin the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EEA includes all the EU states as well as others, and completely covers all Scotland's economic links to Europe as well as participation in the European research and development programmes, etc. In view of the catastrophic damage that has been caused to Scotland by the EU fisheries and other policies we would be daft to consider any other option.


 

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