Standing together against irresponsible actions

When it comes to fishing, you will be hard pressed to find anyone with a positive thing to say about the approach of the European Union. The Common Fisheries Policy has been an abject failure, driving people out of business and doing little to conserve fish stocks. Yet the fishing industry now finds itself in a situation which requires a strong and concerted EU wide response.

The decision by Iceland and the Faroe Islands to unilaterally award themselves a massive increase in Mackerel quotas is as irresponsible as it is utterly unacceptable. As other fisheries have declined, Mackerel landings have risen to become a vital fish stock in Scotland, worth an estimated £135 million in 2009. Just as important as the value, however, is that great efforts have been made to achieve Scotland’s status as the first large-scale Mackerel fishery in Europe to be accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Both of these things are threatened by the actions of Iceland and the Faroe Islands. By taking the decision to massively increase their quotas, they have engaged in beggar-thy-neighbour practices which are understandably causing fury amongst skippers in Banff & Buchan.

The sustainable fishing techniques required to achieve Marine Stewardship Council accreditation are not something that has fallen into the Scottish industry’s lap, but are the result of strenuous and deliberate effort on their part. Yet their good work is now threatened by the decision to ignore international agreements.

Such an approach could scarcely be in greater contrast to that of Norway, which agreed a ten-year deal on Mackerel management and shares with the EU in January this year. They are understandably just as angered by the actions of Iceland and the Faroe Islands as the industry in Scotland, and have already taken the decision to ban fish processors there from receiving Mackerel from Icelandic or Faroese vessels.

Clearly the current situation cannot continue and all parties need to get round the negotiating table to agree a sustainable level of quotas as quickly as possible. However, in the meantime the EU must make it clear that this kind of behaviour is utterly unacceptable and take a strong and unified approach.

So far the EU is treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves, and the Scottish Government will keep pushing to ensure this continues. It may not come close to redeeming itself for the failings of the CFP, but at least the EU can take a step in the right direction by standing up for the Scottish fishing industry in the face of this challenge.

Remembering fallen rescuers

I recently had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the new RNLI memorial statue in Fraserburgh, which commemorates the lifeboatmen over the years who lost their lives as they attempted to rescue others.

Since the organisation’s inception in 1824, the RNLI has time and time again seen brave volunteers risk life and limb to rescue countless numbers of people who have found themselves in trouble off our coasts. Given the maritime heritage of many part of Banff & Buchan, you would be hard pressed to find a part of the country that is more familiar with the risks that the RNLI have taken on peoples’ behalf or more appreciative of their continuing efforts.

It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that the fundraising appeal for the memorial statue found itself over-subscribed to the tune of £18,000, such was peoples’ determination to remember those who have given up their lives to rescue others and applaud those who continue to put themselves in harm's way.