This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Future of Scottish fishing industry
11/11/2002
Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Ross Finnie, has
met with members of the North East of Scotland Fisheries
Development Partnership in Aberdeen to hear views on the
way forward for Scotland's fishing industry.
At the meeting, which included contributions from the
Shetland Ocean Alliance, discussions focused on the need to
preserve fish stocks while protecting communities reliant
upon the fishing industry.
Mr Finnie said:
"This afternoon's meeting provided an excellent
opportunity to hear from a wide range of people
representing all parts of the industry and the communities
they represent in the North East and Shetland.
I was encouraged by the constructive and co-operative
approach adopted by all participants. There was a general
consensus that only by pulling together - across the whole
industry and all political parties - can we hope to bring
forward proposals to preserve fish stocks and protect our
communities.
"Today's discussions have contributed to the development
of a toolbox of measures, which will be needed during the
forthcoming negotiations. I will be exploring a number of
these ideas in more detail over the coming days and weeks
during meetings I have committed to have with industry
leaders.
"Meantime it is helpful that in today's interim
statement Franz Fischler indicated that he is actively
looking at alternatives to closure. We await the
Commission's formal proposals however before we are in a
position to respond in detail."
This was one of the regular meetings of the NESFDP
Strategy Group. Given the importance of the issues under
discussions, invitations were extended to other interested
parties, including Shetland Ocean Alliance.
Those invited included: Scottish Fisherman's Federation,
Scottish White Fish Producers' Association Ltd, Scottish
Fish Merchants' Federation, North East of Scotland
Fishermen's Organisation Ltd, Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's
Association, Fisheries Research Services, Aberdeenshire
Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council and various
local MSPs.