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Future of fishing to be decided
11/06/2012
The fight to protect the future of Scotland’s fishing industry reaches boiling point in Luxembourg tomorrow (Tuesday 12 June).
Scotland’s Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead is determined the opportunity is seized to radically reform the hugely damaging common Fisheries Policy (CFP) so that it becomes fit-for-purpose and will help, not hinder, our fishing industry and our fish conservation work.
Speaking ahead of the EU Council Mr Lochhead said:
“Tomorrow in Luxembourg, the EU Council holds the future of Scotland’s fishing industry in its hands. Decisions will be taken that will change the shape of our fishing industry and our fishing communities both now and for years to come. It is imperative the opportunity is seized to make sure those changes are changes for the better.
"We must see a move to return decision making to regional and member state level. We must see changes that will deliver successful conservation of fish stocks and the elimination of discards. And we must not see the imposition of Transferable Fishing Concessions (TFCs) which would put Scotland’s historic fishing rights in jeopardy.
“Our fishermen and our fishing communities are counting on the next CFP to show common sense. They are counting on the Council to acknowledge the great work that is taking place to conserve fish stocks and increase sustainability. And they are counting on the support of the whole of Scotland as we continue to fight to protect their livelihoods and their communities.”