This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Action plan for sustainable fisheries
27/03/2007
Scotland's approach to fisheries management is leading the way in Europe, a revamped industry group representing fishermen, processors, consumer and environmental interests was told today.
The Sea Fisheries Advisory and Reference Group ( SeaFar) is overseeing an action plan published in September last year.
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie said:
"The SeaFAR process has been immensely valuable in bringing together a range of groups to help build a sustainable, well managed and profitable fishing industry. I was delighted with the clear message we got in Brussels earlier this month that Scotland is leading the way.
"The Action Plan is beginning to have real benefits for the industry. Since it was published, there has been progress on a number of fronts. We have improved communication between the Executive, SFPA and the industry. Work is underway to develop more science and industry partnerships, to improve our approach to enforcement and to look at sustainability certification. Economic prospects for the fleet are improving.
"That work will continue, but the new group will now be tasked with overseeing the full implementation of the Action Plan. Issues of profitability and sustainability need further work. Cod Recovery is a major issue, on which the Group will also have an important input.
"I'm confident that as a result of this process we will see a Scottish fishing industry with long term sustainability at its heart, better able to respond to challenges that lie ahead."
The new industry group will:
- Oversee the implementation of the SeaFAR Action Plan commitments
- Monitor progress of the underpinning Working Groups undertaking the implementation of the SeaFAR Actions at a working level
- Ensure implementation of the SeaFAR Action Plan and monitor performance indicators to measure success at the delivery of the Action Plan on the ground
Membership
- Ross Finnie (Chair)
- Alex West, Scottish Fishermen's Federation
- Bertie Armstrong, Scottish Fishermen's Federation - Chair Well-Managed Working Group
- MikePArk, Scottihsh Whitefish Producers Organisation
- Duncan MacInnes, Western Isles Fishermen's Association
- James Anderson, Shetland Fishermen's Association
- Sir Ian Wood, JW Holdings
- Iain MacSween, Scottish Fishermen's Organisation - Chair, Scottish Langoustine Commercial Strategy Working Group
- Linda Cross, Scottish Seafood Processors Federation
- Stephen Park, Scottish Food and Drink Federation
- Andrew Mallison, Marks and Spencer PLC
- Kara Brydson, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- Richard Dixon, WWF
- Mike Kaiser, University of Wales - Bangor
- Jennifer Craw, Scottish Enterprise Grampian - Chair, Profitable Working Group
- John Rutherford, Seafish Industry Authority (Seafish)
- Paul Du Vivier, Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA)
- Robin Cook, Fisheries Research Services (FRS)