MP & MSP To Meet With Scottish Fisheries Minister

Alex Salmond MP and Stewart Stevenson MSP are to hold a meeting with Scottish Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie in the Scottish Parliament next Monday. Alex Salmond called for the meeting to discuss a number of serious issues currently impacting on the Scottish pelagic fishing industry which he does not feel are being adequately or effectively addressed by the Scottish Executive.

The Minister conceded to the SNP Leader’s call for a meeting, at which Salmond and Stevenson intend to raise matters impacting mainly on the catching and processing sectors of the pelagic industry. Also on the agenda will be the question of funding for the continued provision of fishing related training at Banff & Buchan College in Fraserburgh.

Commenting, Alex Salmond said:

“I cautioned the Scottish Fisheries Minister many months ago that the difficulties facing our pelagic fishermen would create a crisis in the processing sector. The development of the pelagic sector has been the greatest success story in the fishing industry over the last ten years – but it is all being put at risk needlessly because of SEERAD’s incompetence and ineptitude.

“We have already suffered the loss of one major processing company in Fraserburgh, but this might be just the first sign of worse to come unless the Minister and his officials get a grip and realize that the pelagic industry must have a steady supply of fish if it is to survive. SEERAD’s mishandling of our nation’s fishing interests threatens to hand the entire Scottish pelagic sector to Norway on a plate.

Stewart Stevenson added:

“The recent news bombshell that Banff & Buchan College faces the withdrawal of all fishing related training courses because they have been starved of funding is yet another symptom of this Government’s lack of commitment to the Scottish fishing industry.

Alex Salmond concluded:

“I intend to lead the SNP to victory in the Scottish Elections next year and to replace Mr. McConnell as First Minister. Only then can we be assured of a Government that is totally committed to fighting for Scottish interests - but steps must be taken now to secure the continued viability of our beleaguered fishing industry.”