Fishing is not a showstopper

Sir, – Recent articles on the Scottish fishing industry’s EU position suggest it is not as clear cut an issue as originally claimed.

I did wonder how it can maintain its reliance on 30% immigrant labour since, despite average annual earnings of £31,000 (£117,000 on big boats), the locals don’t all want to catch or process fish.

I also wondered why another year of transition is a problem when all other sectors face the same prospect.

I fear this dispute is small fry compared to the torrent of lobbying we will endure from just about every industrial, cultural, academic, political and social organisation in the country as they clamour for a say in the final agreement, especially since many sectors dwarf fishing.

Scotland’s finance industry, for example, employs 10 times more people.

And, judging by the way the SNP struggles to reconcile historical opposition to the Common Fisheries Policy with obvious cracks in its current EU attitude, it looks like we’ll soon see a Kew Gardenscale plantation of glass houses sprouting across the political landscape, as other politicians and parties struggle to hide and spin their own, flawed EU track record and policies.

One thing in Scotland’s favour is, while our industry may be comparatively tiny, it is the same for most EU countries.

Fishing accounts for 1.5% of GDP in Denmark, 1% in Spain and 2% in Scotland.

So when we get to the short strokes, the issue of fishing rights might not be such a showstopper for any country. Allan Sutherland. 1 Willow Row, Stonehaven.

If ScotRail really want to make up for the commuter chaos then why not cut the prices of the season tickets or peak-time fares? That might actually help those who are affected by the stop-skipping, lateness and cancellations