Call to devolve Seafish levies

A Scottish Nationalist MSP has backed calls for Seafish levies to be devolved, following concerns raised by Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead that the industry authority was promoting Norwegian fish.

Christian Allard, NorthEast list MSP for the SNP, said: ‘The Scottish government does not believe that discussions between the four fisheries administrations of the UK address the fundamental flaws that are inherent in Seafish as a reserved body that is attempting to operate in an area in which policy is devolved.’

Climate Change and Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod said that following the Smith Commission on further devolution, options for making changes to Seafish had been under discussion.