This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister opposes fisheries proposals
08/12/2004
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie today restated
the Executive's opposition to closing areas of the North
Sea to fishing activity where there is no evidence of
conservation benefit.
Responding to proposals published by the European
Commission ahead of fisheries negotiations in Brussels, Mr
Finnie said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to developing
sustainable and healthy fisheries to secure a healthy
future for our industry and fishing communities.
"Advice on some valuable stocks is more helpful this
year and this is reflected in the Commission's proposals
published today. We will be pressing the case for increased
quotas on monkfish and prawns.
"However proposals on closed areas have already been
overtaken by the advice from the Commission's own technical
advisers and fly in the face of representations by the
newly formed North Sea Regional Advisory Council.
"We will always take account of scientific advice on
threatened stocks while pushing for greater opportunities
to fish healthy stocks. There is no case for this closed
area and we will oppose it unreservedly."