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CHAPTER SEVEN: WORKING WITH OTHERS
This consultation document is being issued by the Scottish Government, and covers Scotland only. Approximately 70% of all quota stocks within the UK are managed from Scotland.
For now, the issues regarding interaction have been considered in the light of existing arrangements. We recognise that whilst we need to act to safeguard the ongoing position of Scottish fishing communities by securing arrangements governing fishing rights appropriate to Scottish requirements, it is also in the interests of the industry in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK to facilitate interaction and mutually beneficial working relationships. We propose, therefore, that quota swaps/leases, FQA transfer, and licence transactions should continue to operate between Scotland and other areas within the UK. The practicalities of interaction have been carefully considered and, where the issue is primarily for the Scottish Government, our position on the practicalities is set out below.
Quota Management
We envisage that Scottish quotas would continue to be allocated to all Scottish groups with sectoral management responsibilities on the basis of their fixed quota allocation ( FQA) holdings as at 1 January. We have no plans to alter the FQA allocations key. We envisage that in-year quotas would continue to be leased or otherwise transferable between Scottish and UK fishermen/groups. We envisage that similar considerations would apply to the permanent transfer of FQA units. Scottish FQA/quotas will be permanently identified as such, and our economic link requirement would need to be met.
Subject to the agreement of other Fisheries Administrations, we envisage that the removal of the current restriction on the transfer of FQA units from an "active" licence would, if implemented, be applied at a UK level. In terms of international quota swaps, we envisage that unsolicited proposals from another Member State ( i.e. one not "brokered" by a UK group) would be treated under current arrangements whereby all UK groups would be invited to bid.
Licensing
We intend that the Scottish licensing system would be capable of interacting with systems elsewhere in the UK. We envisage permitting vessels and/or licences to transfer between Scotland an the other UK Fisheries Administrations and, for Scotland's part, will be governed by the rules in force by the receiving Administration. We would support a similar approach by other UK Fisheries Administrations.
New Concordat
The Scottish Government recognises the benefit of good working relationships with other UK Fisheries Administrations. We are keen to agree new administrative arrangements to govern information exchange and discussions on issues of mutual concern. We intend to take this forward in dialogue with other UK Fisheries Administrations.
Consulting with Groups Outwith Scotland
The Scottish Government will include in its consultation both the small number of businesses whose interests straddle Scotland and other areas within the UK and who, therefore, have a direct material interest in the quota and licensing arrangements established in Scotland. We will also invite views from UK groups, including the National Fishermen's Federation Organisation ( NFFO) and Producer Organisations outwith Scotland.
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