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Fisheries talks
05/11/2008
The unique 'Team Scotland' approach can help secure the best possible deal for Scotland's fishermen at the forthcoming autumn negotations.
Speaking after giving evidence to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead acknowledged the talks would be tough, but that he would do everything in his power to secure a positive outcome.
Mr Lochhead said:
"There is no question that we face some difficult negotiations and decisions in the weeks ahead. However I remain absolutely determined to fight for the best possible outcome for the Scottish sector again this year. In the current economic climate these talks are more important than ever.
"Our priorities include resisting the Commission's unacceptable ideas for the West coast and ensuring our fishermen no longer need to throw thousands of tonnes of north sea cod overboard.
"We are in a good position as we enter the talks. Here in Scotland we have shown, through our innovative Conservation Credits Scheme, that we can introduce measures which make a real difference for sustainability.
"Working with the sector, we have implemented a suite of selectivity and spatial measures designed to promote cod avoidance, reduce mortality across whitefish stocks and reduce discarding. These include the use of Square Mesh Panels and the development of a system of Real Time and Seasonal Closures.
"Team Scotland's vital expertise can help ensure that we build on the approach that brought such important gains last year in order to find the right solutions to these challenges.
"The Scottish Government does not believe that membership of the Common Fisheries Policy serves Scotland's interests and we need to loosen the strait-jacket of this discredited policy.
"However simply focussing on the day when we can withdraw from the CFP condemns our industry to the current failed policy, an outcome I am not prepared to accept. We must aim to be as influential as possible in the forthcoming Europe-wide discussion on CFP reform."
Mr Lochhead also welcomed a new report which suggests the landmark Conservation Credits scheme - that rewards fishermen who help conserve cod stocks with extra days at sea - has made an early impact.
Compliance rates on 15 Real Time Closures are running at almost 100 per cent. The level of participation by the Scottish sector in the scheme sector shows around 94% of eligible vessels participating. And there is clear evidence demonstrating that real time closures have led to much reduced catch rates of cod.
Mr Lochhead said:
"While it is still too early to assess the full impact of this scheme the early signs are extremely positive.
"Our new and sustainable approach to fishing in Scotland is starting to pay dividends
"Alongside ourselves and Scottish scientists, the Scottish industry has played a major role in rising to the challenges posed by the scheme.
"We have every intention of developing the scheme further in the year ahead, building on the successes of this year.
"Here in Scotland we have shown that we can introduce innovative and effective measures to ensure sustainable fisheries."
The report on progress on Conservation Credits , prepared by the Scottish Government for the EU's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) will be tabled in the Scottish Parliament on November 5.