Statement on Brexit fisheries deal
James Anderson, chairman of Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA), said the fisheries deal between the UK and EU was disappointing, but isles fishermen would roll up their sleeves and work hard to secure short- and long-term improvements.
He said: “The deal is significantly worse than what was pushed for, and promised to us, by the Government.
“It was agreed on Christmas Eve, denying us the opportunity to examine the detail and highlight the obvious problems with it.
“By signing up to a deal where increases in quota shares for some stocks fall short of what we would normally have obtained through quota swapping mechanisms, the Government has taken away the shine from the headline gains. But it’s onward and upward now and we will work hard to hold the Prime Minister to account on what he says the deal will deliver, especially after the initial five-and-a-half year transition.
“The last few years have been incredibly focused on Brexit for us and we will continue now to make sure we get everything we can out of this deal.”
SFA executive officer Simon Collins said he looked forward to a constructive dialogue with Marine Scotland on an improved management regime for local waters, “particularly on the occupation of traditional fishing grounds by gillnetters and the new catching policy that will replace an unworkable discard ban”.
