A New Deal for Scotland’s Fishermen

As we set forth into 2008 the contrast between Scotland’s position entering this New Year and that where it stood at this point last year is striking indeed. One area where this contrast is particularly obvious is in Scotland’s fishing.

On coming into Government last May the SNP promised Scotland’s fishing industry a fresh start – one which was desperately needed. Despite having 60% of the UK fishing zone and landing 61% of the total value of the UK catch, Scotland has in the past been vastly underrepresented and indeed misrepresented in EU talks by the UK Government. This is why the SNP pledged to break from that pattern once and for all. We vowed to strengthen Scotland’s voice in international negotiations, to protect fishing communities and to properly represent the interests of our fishing industry in order to secure for it a viable and lucrative future.

Since entering Government the SNP has been consistently delivering on each and every one of these promises. From day one our Fisheries Minister, Richard Lochhead has been consulting and working in partnership with stakeholders to secure a better future for the industry. Relations between the Government and the industry have effectively been transformed under the SNP Government and the importance of fisheries has been elevated on the national agenda.

This sea change in approach was clear in the December fisheries talks in Brussels where we saw an outcome starkly different from what we had come to expect from previous years. Unlike former years where the Lib-Lab Executive were content to take a complacent back seat role in the negotiations, this year the SNP Fisheries Minister fought hard for a fairer deal for Scotland and indeed reaped the rewards with a landmark agreement. In the best deal we have received in many years, Scotland won back responsibility for managing days at sea, a decision which had previously been made in Brussels. In recognition of their conservation efforts and diligent commitment to sustainable fishing practices, Scotland’s fishermen will gain extra days at sea through a new system of Conservation Credits. Work is well under way to implement this deal with the new system due to be up and running by February.

This milestone agreement would not have been possible without the leadership and resolute determination shown by the SNP Government nor the responsible management displayed by our fishing industry. I commend all of those involved in the industry for their patience and cooperation in implementing sustainable fishing practices to reduce discards and protect vulnerable stocks. I am delighted to see that this hard work is paying off and advantages have been secured in return.

We in Banff & Buchan hardly need reminding of the significance of fisheries to our local towns and communities. Representing 6.5% of the entire economy in the North East and almost 60% of all jobs in Fraserburgh and about 25% in several other Travel to Work areas, fishing in Banff & Buchan is an industry to be taken seriously. An SNP Government that stands up for Scotland’s fishing interests is vital for to our constituency on a social and economic level.

So as we embark on 2008 we have every reason to look forward with confidence and positivity. After seven months of successful governance by the SNP it is now clear that the days of depending on Westminster to deliver for Scotland are over. We have seen this in fisheries as we have seen it in every other policy area. Scotland now has a Government willing to stand up for Scotland’s best interests at home and on the international arena. Much progress has been made in our short time in Government and from the platform of success we have built much more will be achieved in 2008. For my part I look forward to serving the needs of all of my constituents in Banff & Buchan in what promises to be an exciting and flourishing year for Scotland.