The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Ewing wants cameras on boats fishing in EU
Fleets: Minister says move would help police fish discards ban
Cameras should be installed on “all relevant vessels” fishing in EU waters, the Scottish rural affairs secretary has said.
Fergus Ewing was replying to a parliamentary question by Banffshire and Buchan Coast SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson.
The minister was asked what the Scottish Government’s position was on the use of remote electronic monitoring (REM) to help compliance with the ban on fish discards.
Fisheries control experts from Scotland and elsewhere have advised that monitoring can best be achieved with the use of cameras and sensors.
“The Scottish Government agrees with this recommendation and we would be content to see cameras installed where appropriate on all relevant vessels fishing in EU waters,” Mr Ewing said.
Mr Stevenson said: “It is fundamental we do as much as we can to ensure member states are complying with landing obligations.”
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong said the industry had been “constructively engaged” in trying find workable solutions to the landings obligation.
Mr Armstrong added: “In certain circumstances, on-board cameras have a role in monitoring compliance, but as everyone who wrestles with this issue quickly comes to realise they are not a panacea.
“If any compliance measure is to work properly it must apply to all.
“This, and the prospect of a discard reduction programme that will actually work, can become a reality post-Brexit.”
Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association chief executive Mike Park said: “The level playing field will always remain a big issue and demand for the Scottish fleet. The introduction of REM can only be considered once solutions have been delivered to solve the problems emanating from the discredited landing obligation (discard ban).
“No minister or their government would wish to see the Scottish fleet tied to the quay while EU fleets continue to operate freely".