MSP Urges Permit Change for Banffshire Port

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson has contacted the Scottish Executive's Deputy Fisheries Minister, Allan Wilson MSP, to express his concerns after learning that Whitehills fishermen will not be allowed to land their catch as, under the new EU Haddock permit scheme, Whitehills Harbour is not a designated port.

Mr Stevenson has urged the Minister to immediately review and amend the regulations as they affect small posts such as Whitehills.

Mr Stevenson said:

“Businesses and fishermen in Whitehills are, rightly, extremely concerned that the new haddock permit system effectively bans fish landings at Whitehills.

“This is complete lunacy especially since it appears that foreign vessels working the same fishery area are not liable to the same permit scheme.

“I fear that this bureaucratic nonsense will inevitably put lives at risk and I have urged the Scottish Fisheries Minister to act now and take account of the special circumstances at Whitehills.”

Mr Stevenson also highlighted that as well as the added cost of fuel, wages and time at sea for local skippers, there could be a serious economic knock-on effect on other local businesses reliant on landings at Whitehills harbour.

“On-shore businesses will be seriously affected if these boats are forced to travel to other ports instead.

“This proves once again that the UK Fisheries Delegation went into the Common Fisheries Policy talks last December with their ears covered and their eyes tightly shut.”