Hiding behind false words

The Scottish Government has banned creel fishing in parts of the Clyde as part of a plan to protect cod.

It was pointed out to our MSP Jenny Minto that:

1. The bodies campaigning for this ban did NOT want or need creel fishermen included for the protection of baby cod;

2. The scientific advice was modified to exclude creel fishing. Baby/young cod are not caught in prawn creels.

The scientists at the Rural Affairs Committee meeting on March 2 said that there was zero evidence for creels to be included in the ban, and that the previous evidence cited on the Scottish Government website had now been removed.

Our MSP represented to the creel fishermen in Campbeltown that she would:

1. Seek a relaxation of the ban to enable the creel fishermen to continue to work as per the scientific evidence/advice;

2. Seek compensation for the creel fishermen for almost three months’ loss of income. However, in the event she VOTED

1. To keep the ban in place;

2. Against compensation.

This is absolutely duplicitous. Duplicity’s original meaning in English has to do with a kind of deception in which true feelings or intentions are hidden behind false words or actions.

Alan Milstead, Carradale.

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