EU ties could protect fishing jobs – Ewing

Fishing Minister Fergus Ewing said yesterday he would do all he could to protect Scotland’s fishing industry in the “absence of clarity from elsewhere”.

Mr Ewing, speaking at the Fisheries Innovation Scotland (FIS) Conference in St Andrews, added the “powerhouse” sector was best served by exploring all options for maintaining the country’s relationship with the European Union.

UK fishing minister George Eustice and much of the industry backed Brexit, with fishers from Shetland to Cornwall now looking to the UK Government to extract Britain from the controversial Common Fisheries Policy.

The shape of Scottish fishing post Brexit was a key theme of the FIS event, which started on Monday and ended yesterday.

Mr Ewing, delivering the keynote speech, said: “The sea fishing industries are major players in Scotland’s economic powerhouse, contributing hundreds of millions to the economy and safeguarding local jobs in some of our most remote communities.

“We need to protect these interests and it is my view that they can be best served by exploring all options to protect our relationship with the European Union.

“EU membership has provided significant guaranteed funding, supporting over 1,200 projects which have safeguarded in excess of 8,000 jobs.

“I have called for the UK Government to extend the EU funding guarantee to be extended to cover £60million of EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund) funding that is vital to the rural economy and communities.

“In the absence of clarity from elsewhere, I will do all I can to champion our shared interests and provide reassurance, certainty and get on with the business of government during these uncertain times.

“It is now more important than ever that this vital industry is in the best possible position to deal with whatever management challenges and models we are faced with going forward.”

Fergus Ewing