Fishing challenge for candidates

THE UK fishing industry is challenging candidates in the general election to pledge their support for its priority of restoring control of UK waters.

Fishermen’s leaders insist that exiting the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the only way of ending the farcical situation under which the country is forced to give away almost two-thirds of the fish from some of the richest fishing grounds in the world.

Candidates in all 650 parliamentary constituencies will be invited to sign the pledge prior to the election on June 8.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: ‘‘ We as an industry have repeatedly stated we will work with the UK and Scottish governments to achieve this, and we hope candidates will support the prospect of jobs and security for our beleaguered coastal communities by signing this pledge.

‘As a candidate in the general election I pledge my support to the following declaration: Brexit offers a sea of opportunity for fishing communities as it will allow us to restore control of our waters, which are home to some of the richest fishing grounds in the world.

‘We must maximise this opportunity for the benefit of the UK fishing industry – processors, hauliers and fishmongers as well as those at sea – and for consumers. We urge the industry and government to work together to establish a sensible, practicable new fisheries management regime for the post-Brexit era.’