Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing has launched a national discussion paper setting out the Scottish Government’s vision for the future of fisheries.
Mr Ewing is meeting with representatives from the local fishing community in Kirkwall, Orkney, on Monday in the first of a series of similar meetings across Scotland, which will allow individuals, businesses and communities involved in fishing to have their say in what a new strategy for fisheries management should look like.
Key priorities include
· Ensuring that access to Scottish waters and fishing opportunities is not traded away by the UK Government
· Continuing the use of Total Allowable Catch (TACs) as our primary stock management tool in future
· Ensuring that Scottish fishing quota is in the hands of active Scottish fishermen
· Supporting the principle of a discard ban but working with stakeholders to put a more workable approach in place
· Supporting new entrants by creating additional licenses and quota
· Pressing the UK Government to introduce a new work permit system to secure sustainable labour supply for fishing industry
For more information download the National_Fisheries_Discussion_Paper_MS
