TIME TO CRACK ON AND MAKE PLANS THAT HELP THE WHOLE INDUSTRY
Funds should be strategically focused, says Shetland Fisherman Association
WHILE the political arguments about Brexit continue to rage, and the final nature of the deal remains uncertain, within the fishing industry here in Shetland we have been thinking a lot about what happens when we are no longer in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
The UK’S transition to a coastal state, with the power to control access and quota shares within our waters, will lead to significant growth.
A study by Dr Ian Napier of the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, suggests that it could double in size, to be worth £1.68 billion. It is certainly going to be much larger than it is at present.
But in order to facilitate this growth, our two governments, regulatory bodies and local authorities are going to have to recognise that they have a huge role to play – in partnership with the industry of course – in encouraging new entrants to the industry as well supporting infrastructure and supply chain development.
There are plenty of people in our coastal communities who would like a career in the industry, but the banking sector is highly risk-averse when it comes to long-term investment in new vessels, for example, without public sector participation.
Similarly, without ports that are sufficiently well adapted to industry requirements, ie onshore facilities such as cranes, shore power, water, ice plants and chilled storage facilities, any increased fishing opportunity generated post-brexit could potentially be missed.
Catches are worthless unless they can be handled, stored, sold and transported efficiently upon arrival.
It is heartening that commitments have been made to replace the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) with a Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).
In our view, it needs to be much more acutely targeted and less restrictive than the EMFF. For example, applications from vessels that are less than five years old are prohibited under EMFF, despite the evident potential for projects relating to safety, product quality, crew welfare and care of the catch.
Several key principles are required for the development of new funding schemes:
1. The Scottish Government should, in conjunction with stakeholders, develop a high-level strategic framework with the overarching aim of achieving a successful food producing industry across the supply chain.
2. Delivery of the framework and funds should be devolved to regions for local delivery. This will be cheaper to administer, relatively light in terms of bureaucracy and more likely to target funds where they are most needed.
3. Successful long-term strategic planning will be achieved through localised decision-making for community projects, with larger projects agreed at a regional level ie infrastructure projects to ensure funds are targeted where a business case can be made proving socio-economic benefits to the local area.
4. Funding programmes need to be long-term, ie for periods beyond the lifetime of a single parliament. This would help protect them from the political cycle and short-term financial constraints.
5. It is to be hoped that the development of the SPF will enable the creation of a fully-integrated “one-stop shop” for funding applications rather than the diverse range of funding options that characterise EU schemes.
We believe that this is an eminently sensible approach, with a focus on practical, outcome-driven objectives, allowing creative solutions where relevant to come from within communities with a stake in the development or re-development of fisheries.
The work can start now, since additional funding has been announced by the UK Government to support the transition to Brexit. Our message is clear and simple: let’s get on with it.
Simon Collins is executive officer of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association