Scotland ‘best placed’ to manage fishing

The Scottish Government should control the Scottish fishing industry because it has a “better understanding” than Westminster of the issues, says FMA manager Tom Mackenzie.

The Fife fishing industry spokesman said he thinks Marine Scotland is doing a “reasonable job” and noted that while fishing was something like 0.1% of UK GDP, it was 5% of GDP in Scotland and one of the country’s biggest employers.

At this time of year, he said the best East Neuk shellfish boats are making “four figures a day” each – and a good crewman is earning the bulk of his annual salary during this season.

In addition to 75 fishermen based at Pittenweem, the FMA has five full-time staff.

On top of that, fish processors also employstaff– includingthe70employed at Seafood Ecosse, Peterhead – who process East Neuk prawns and fish from all over Scotland.

But some of the larger North East Scotland fish operators, he said, were finding Brexit more of a challenge.

While a “wee port like Pittenweem won’t be affected at all”, he said the main concern of the Scottish Fisheries Federation – of which the FMA is a member – when it came to the UK Government is “don’t sell us down the river or use us as a bargaining tool” during Brexit negotiations. Anger has already been expressed that the UK Government, in negotiation with the EU, has agreed to allow EU fishermen into British waters between the March 29 2019 Brexit date and December 2020 – and with discussions about a final Brexit deal continuing, there are concerns this could be extended or CFP membership could be retained.

“Because fishing is only 0.1% of UK GDP, there’s a feeling we’ll be used as a bargaining tool no matter what (because somehow we are dispensable),” said Tom. “There’s a feeling nationally that if we got our waters back – control of 200mile limit pre-1973 – that would be a win. But I don’t think they’ll get the 200 mile back. Who knows?

“Foreignersarescoopingupmonkfish on the west coast. But our west coast fishermen are not allowed to catch them because there’s a quota. By comparison, we’ve got quotas for langoustine here, but the quotas are so high we rarely catch enough to meet them.

“Since Brexit, the value of the pound has slumped, which has made it easier for exporters. However, fuel has gone from 38p to 59p per litre, adding costs.”