Meeting of the Parliament 03 December 2015
It is pleasing to hear the cabinet secretary comment on the many positive developments in this area of activity.
In reply to Stewart Stevenson’s observations about the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, as a novice, I have to say that I made contact with Bertie Armstrong, who is in Bergen representing the federation. He has during these past days been very generous with advice and the briefing that he has given me for our debate.
In his introduction, the cabinet secretary indicated that the fishing industry is worth about £500 million per annum to the Scottish economy. In the region of 5,000 people rely on the industry for their employment. Fishing fields around Scotland are acknowledged as being among the best in the world. The fish that are caught in those fields are acknowledged to be healthy and tasty, and thereby create demand for the future. Catches from our seas are devoured by people across Europe and further afield. Tavish Scott made some good points about the importance of the industry not only to the communities that he represents, but to the entire population of Scotland.
The debate therefore provides an opportunity for Parliament to feed into the discussions about the future development of a vital element of Scotland’s national interest. It is also an opportunity to thank all those who are involved in the fishing industry—in particular, those who risk their lives to provide the fish that we eat.
The new options for policy that we debate today seem by implication to acknowledge two vital issues. One is the comprehensive difficulty that the cabinet secretary and others face in balancing the competing needs that have been expressed across the chamber this afternoon. The second is probably the more important element. The development of operational guidance based on the regulations that emanate from the agreed common fisheries policy will necessarily rely on the goodwill of everyone in the Scottish industry.
I am grateful for the various briefings that I received before today’s debate, particularly that from WWF, and for my conversations with the SFF. From speaking to Bertie Armstrong, it is apparent that Scottish fishermen—it is exclusively men who operate in the seas from Scottish harbours at the moment—want to ensure that their industry maintains good health and contributes to the environmental wellbeing of our seas.
Enforcement of the regulations that emanate from the common fisheries policy, especially in relation to discards and catches, will be the responsibility of Marine Scotland, which will ensure compliance. Although I am advised that additional resources would always be welcomed by the department, Marine Scotland is highly thought of across the industry.
Additionally, the introduction of the technical surveillance that has been mentioned by members around the chamber is a vital part of monitoring how catches are achieved across our seas. However, it would be wrong to overburden our fleets with surveillance when they are economically disadvantaged and in competition with other fleets across Europe. In that connection, The Commission must ensure that its approach is standard across Europe, and that fishing fleets from every nation respect and reflect the efforts that have been made in Europe’s name.
When the efforts of those who are involved in the industry fail, we will see the development of illegal practices such as the unfortunate recent black fish scandals that have resulted in criminal prosecutions, or our fleets being disadvantaged as they try to maintain their respect for the regulations that have been put in place.
Our efforts to get things right and practical are therefore important. Behind that, the essential co-operation of all those involved in environmental protection and the industry is absolutely at the kernel of taking things forward. Other members are more directly involved in such issues and have spoken with wisdom about the specific needs that arise in protecting the environment.
I have been advised that Scotland’s voice plays an influential part in the development of the European common fisheries policy. We have the inshore fisheries groups, the inshore fisheries management and conservation group, the fisheries management and conservation group and the Scottish discard steering group, all of which feed in with the knowledge of what is required for the future. I can only hope that the cabinet secretary will continue to listen to the advice that he receives from across the industry, and that he will reflect that knowledge to ensure that Scotland not only maintains an economically viable industry, but protects our environment for children in the future.
15:51