Fishing’s future looks grim

Sir, – The north east fishing communities voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU because they were promised by the Brexiteers that, once the UK left the EU, it would also leave the Common Fisheries Policy.

But now it seems that, for the next two years at least, during the “transition period”, the UK fisheries will continue to be subject to the CPF, which has caused outrage.

But it seems clear that, when the real horsetrading over the detail of the leave deal takes place, the likelihood of the interests of Scottish fishermen, who contribute only 1% of UK GDP, being a priority for the Westminster parliament is slim.

This is especially when compared to the city of London, or the UK car industry, or indeed anything which might adversely affect Tory voters in England.

Scottish fishing will be a bargaining chip, to be traded off against whatever is expedient for the greater good of the Brexit project. And once we are out of Europe, where will the north east fish processing industry, which is very dependent on Eastern European workers, find its staff?

And, of course, there will be tariffs on exports to Europe, the main market for Scottish fish.

In addition, given the importance for fish of rapid transit to these markets, how will the predicted chaos at the ports affect business?

And if they think that Ruth Davidson, who actually voted to remain, will put her personal interests on the line, against the hard Brexiteers in her own party, to fight the fishing corner, they will surely be disappointed.

Ms Davidson likes to be seen posing on top of tanks, but she has, so far, shown no inclination to stand in front of them.

I would suggest that all the fishing communities of Scotland should get behind the SNP, which is the only party with the interests of Scotland, and its people, truly at its heart. Les Mackay. 5 Carmichael Gardens, Dundee.