Chamber
Plenary, 13 Dec 2006
13 Dec 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Fisheries
This annual debate on the deliberations of the fisheries council is always a story of how science is woven with politics into the fabric of the common fisheries policy. It is also a story of tragedy—the tragedy of the economic hardship that is faced by fishing communities. However, there can be no greater tragedy for people in a fishing community such as Cellardyke or Anstruther than to lose their loved ones so cruelly to nature. The thoughts of members must be with all those families as we approach Christmas and new year.
We owe it to all fishing communities to weave a better type of politics into the common fisheries policy—one that is imaginative and strong and which does not play to short-term fears, but guides and supports fishing communities towards a future for fishermen and the ecology that they are inextricably part of. Once again, we have heard in the chamber the fantasy politics of withdrawal from the CFP being raised as a figurehead. Even if that were practical—and it is not—it paints a fantasy in which no tough choices have to be made and in which withdrawal will somehow instantly result in fish returning in their droves to Scottish waters. It ignores the fact that those countries that are not in the CFP have also had to make hard choices about effort reduction, just as many other countries, including Scotland, have had to make drastic cuts within the CFP. Those are decisions that Richard Lochhead would have to face if he was a minister—unless, of course, he palmed off fisheries to the Lib Dems, as Labour has done.
Withdrawal may be the politics of fantasy, but reform of the CFP must become the politics of reality, and reform is desperately slow. The minister is right to boast about the expertise and knowledge that we have in Scotland, particularly in the Fisheries Research Services, but where is the innovative thinking on introducing bycatch quotas and the important role for on-board observers, which the Executive could put into the mix? The Executive's sustainable framework for fisheries recognises bycatch quotas, but this is not a game of I spy. We are looking for action, not recognition.
We owe it to all fishing communities to weave a better type of politics into the common fisheries policy—one that is imaginative and strong and which does not play to short-term fears, but guides and supports fishing communities towards a future for fishermen and the ecology that they are inextricably part of. Once again, we have heard in the chamber the fantasy politics of withdrawal from the CFP being raised as a figurehead. Even if that were practical—and it is not—it paints a fantasy in which no tough choices have to be made and in which withdrawal will somehow instantly result in fish returning in their droves to Scottish waters. It ignores the fact that those countries that are not in the CFP have also had to make hard choices about effort reduction, just as many other countries, including Scotland, have had to make drastic cuts within the CFP. Those are decisions that Richard Lochhead would have to face if he was a minister—unless, of course, he palmed off fisheries to the Lib Dems, as Labour has done.
Withdrawal may be the politics of fantasy, but reform of the CFP must become the politics of reality, and reform is desperately slow. The minister is right to boast about the expertise and knowledge that we have in Scotland, particularly in the Fisheries Research Services, but where is the innovative thinking on introducing bycatch quotas and the important role for on-board observers, which the Executive could put into the mix? The Executive's sustainable framework for fisheries recognises bycatch quotas, but this is not a game of I spy. We are looking for action, not recognition.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5303, in the name of Ross Finnie, on fisheries.
The Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Ross Finnie):
LD
Those with a keen interest in fisheries will have welcomed the warm-up before this important debate.The European Union fisheries council will meet on Tuesday...
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
The minister will be aware that the prospect of a cut in days at sea and in the quota for the prawn sector is causing enormous concern around Scotland's coas...
Ross Finnie:
LD
Richard Lochhead says that the scientific advice is in Scotland's favour. I repeat that the scientific advice on cod is quite clear. It states—
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I asked about prawns.
Ross Finnie:
LD
I am sorry. We understand that, subsequent to the ICES advice on prawns, the STECF has reiterated its position. We believe that that is the position that wil...
Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD):
LD
I hear what the minister says about his concern about the outcome of the EU-Norway talks and the 14 per cent cut in the cod quota. Is he aware of any member ...
Ross Finnie:
LD
No member state supported the original proposal for a 25 per cent cut, but I regret to say that, as the negotiations proceeded on a downward track to a 15 pe...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
It is important that we regenerate fishing communities as well as fish stocks. How will the European fisheries fund that comes to the United Kingdom be split...
Ross Finnie:
LD
The allocation of the new European fisheries fund has not been determined and will not be discussed at the December council. I accept Mark Ruskell's point th...
Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister tell us what percentage of the white-fish catch over the past year has been cod?
Ross Finnie:
LD
In terms of value, it remains a substantial figure. I do not have the percentage at my fingertips, but if I find it I will perhaps deal with it when I wind u...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Does the minister accept that the proposed measures would have an impact on not just the catching sector but the onshore sector? Fish processors will also be...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Minister, you have about one minute in which to wind up.
Ross Finnie:
LD
It would be absolutely amazing if a catch quota did not affect processors, so I accept that point totally.I will argue for substantial increases in the Rocka...
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
On behalf of the Scottish National Party, I welcome today's debate and I use this opportunity to pay tribute to the men in our fishing industry. In particula...
Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab) rose—
Lab
Ross Finnie:
LD
Will the member give way?
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I will take an intervention from the minister.
Ross Finnie:
LD
Let us just take a step back. Is the member completely ignoring the scientific advice on the state of the stocks? Had we not taken the steps that we did, our...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I was about to come to those very points. When the European Commission proposed in July a 25 per cent across-the-board cut for quota and effort, there was an...
Ross Finnie:
LD
Surely, surely, surely Richard Lochhead cannot go on talking about the fact that haddock and nephrops are healthy and not recognise that cod can be caught in...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Again, I return to the minister's own comments in which he described the Commission's proposals as "provocative and confrontational" and "particularly disapp...
Mr Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
The Conservatives welcome today's debate. I understand that congratulations are in order, or perhaps the word should be "commiserations", because Ross Finnie...
Mr Ruskell:
Green
Will the member give way?
Ross Finnie:
LD
Will the member take an intervention?
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
Yes, Mr Finnie.
Ross Finnie:
LD
Will the member tell us which of the fleets that he mentioned actually have cod in the middle of their fishery? Will he tell us about mixed fisheries? This i...
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
The minister asks which other countries have mixed fisheries. The answer is easy: Iceland, the Faroes and Norway all have mixed fisheries and all handle thei...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
This annual debate on the deliberations of the fisheries council is always a story of how science is woven with politics into the fabric of the common fisher...