Ewing urges Gove to make changes to Fisheries Bill

Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing has written to Michael Gove calling for changes to the UK Fisheries Bill.

Although critical that Scottish ministers only received the final version the day before it was laid in Parliament, Mr Ewing described the bill as having “broadly positive outcomes”.

However, due to “unresolved concerns”, the Inverness and Nairn MSP has urged the Environment Secretary to make several amendments over seafood levies, fishing quotas and effort limits.

Mr Ewing is also calling for the Sea Fish Industry Authority to be able to operate differently in different parts of the UK.

On the contentious subject of quota and effort limits, Mr Ewing said: “I remain unambiguously of the view that the Scottish Parliament’s legislative consent is required”.