Fisheries

Speech delivered on Thu 5th Nov 2009

We've had a good debate today. It's been well recognised that our fishermen have worked hard to develop and adhere to sustainable fishing methods.

Scottish Waters are some of the richest in Europe and in many parts of Scotalnd, fishing is THE economic mainstay. But we've witnessed a large scale decrease in employment in Scotland's fishing industry due to restrictions on tonnage of catch that can be landed.

Despite this, still in my area large parts of the South of Scotland have a significant interest in fisheries; notably Eyemouth & coastal Berwickshire, East Lothian, and towards the south west in for example Annan, the Solway and Ayrshire coastlines. In the coastal waters of Berwickshire, vessels are reliant on nephrops - langoustines in particular.

By value this is the single most economically important species caught by the Scottish fishing industry, with landings in 2005 worth £38.5m, compared to £22.4m for haddock.

And let's not forget the related industries - deshelling, processing and packing.

These industries which provide direct and indirect employment are vital to retaining population and hence viable communities.

As the Government's own inquiry states, current policies are failing to conserve fish stocks and sustain jobs for communities.

So the same old problem exists - that we need to ensure a workable balance between economic activity and profitability - the aim should be a sea fishing industry that is sustainable and profitable on a long term basis which in turn will support strong communities. The industry must be allowed to use quota sensibly whilst meeting commitments to conservation. A difficult balance, but I repeat that our fishermen have made good strides in meeting that balance and playing their part.

Scottish fishermen have made a substantial contribution to achieving the sustainable management of cod stocks through the cod recovery plan, and it's clear that cod stocks are heading in the right direction thanks to the significant efforts of our fleet.

The European Commission however has announced a significant overall reduction in total allowable catches which will surely lead to increased discards and draconian constraints on the industry. Simply applying large scale cuts is not the answer to promoting a healthy, mixed fishery. So part of any solution will surely be sensible total allowable catches combined with other changes such as changes to fishing methods, net sizes which will reduce discards and prevent catching juvenile fish, spawning fish and non target species. But any measures like this must be applied fairly. I use the example which my colleague Liam McArthur has raised about complying with rules on mesh sizes. Of course nets must comply, but new electronic measuring devices are failing nets which previously would have passed with the old devices.

Few fishermen will be able to replace nets that will comply with the electronic devices and this is an example of where we need to see governments working in tandem with the industry to help rather than just imposing strict rules which could cause more damage than good.

We welcome the interim findings of the Government's Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management , released in September, which recognised that greater levels of regional control with regard to fisheries policy would be advantageous - an approach long advocated by the Liberal Democrats. While the report also highlights some of the wide-spread concerns surrounding the current embodiment of the CFP, it also stops well short of calling for its abolition. Withdrawal from the CFP is not an option - never was - and the SNP must build on what was achieved under Ross Finnie's stewardship.

Liberal Democrats have long argued for more regional management of our fisheries and our past involvement in setting up influential Regional Advisory Councils under Ross Finnie was an integral part of that process.

We have consistently argued for further reform of the CFP - and I note that Salmond's Government has given up on its unachievable stance of exiting the Common Fisheries Policy - a grandstanding stance if there ever was one - we want to give local fishermen and other stakeholders a better say in the management of their own regional waters, not talk ourselves out of influence.

Greater levels of regional control would be beneficial to Scotland's fishing industry. The Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for an increased local emphasis with regard to fisheries policy, a stance supported by the Government's own Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management and the European Fisheries Commissioner, Joe Borg.

Presiding Officer, the importance of Regional Advisory Councils, upcoming reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, discards and the Scottish Government's Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management are all significant matters for Scotland's skippers. However, while these issues are important, fishermen across the country will no doubt agree that the most pressing concern is the upcoming quota negotiations. Scottish Ministers must therefore recognise this and work urgently and constructively with all involved to secure the best possible outcome for the Scottish fleet.

As Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation has said, "We have played a leading role in meeting the management aim of sustainable fishing, we must fight to still be here to harvest the benefits." The Fishing industry will have their eyes on Mr Lochhead in the upcoming talks, let's hope they are constructive results rather than the past grandstanding on unobtainable issues or - as the National Federation of Fisherman's Organisations stated - using the talks to pursue a separatist agenda.