Post by SHARK on Apr 21, 2009 21:49:37 GMT 1
Lochhead moves to protect Scotland's traditional fishing rights.
A MAJOR review of the management of Scotland's fish quota was outlined today by Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead. And the plans give a firm thumbs down to Individual Transferable Quotas for the Scottish fleet.
The new proposals, claimed Mr Lochhead, will give the Scottish Government greater control of fish quota while putting fishermen at the heart of management and strengthening coastal communities for generations to come.
Key recommendations include:
* Safeguarding Scotland's traditional fishing rights for now and the future by keeping them in Scotland.
* Making sure Scottish fishermen get their fair share of quota providing stability and security so that businesses can plan for the future.
* Making sure fishing quotas are only held by businesses who fish them.
* Encouraging new blood into the industry by seeking to develop a new entrants scheme that will allow new fishermen to access quota.
* Reforming licensing to make it simpler and user-friendly so reducing business costs.
Launching the consultation 'Safeguarding Our Fishing Rights: The Future of Quota Management and Licensing in Scotland' at Pittenweem harbour in Fife,Mr Lochhead said: "Fishing provides the lifeblood of many of Scotland's communities and sustains tens of thousands of jobs.It is vital that we take steps to safeguard the historic rights for future generations. This review will help achieve that. The arrangements governing fishing rights are crucial as they provide access to our rich fishing grounds.
"That is why the proposals I have outlined today set out an ambitious new path for Scotland which will allow arrangements to be tailored to Scottish needs. They will put in place new arrangements that will safeguard Scotland's traditional fishing rights for future generations while encouraging the flexibility and stability necessary for sustainable economic growth.
"The proposals show our commitment to a shared approach in fisheries management. And importantly, they will hopefully encourage new blood into the industry.
"Every time I visit a fishing community in Scotland I am asked to take steps to protect fishing rights for future generations. Today's proposals aim to do just that.
"The measures I am outlining today will safeguard one of our national assets - our fish quota.They will also mean that any prospect of Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) being introduced is dead in the water. ITQs are effectively the privatisation of fishing rights which we do not support.I have no doubt we have the support of Scotland's fishing communities in taking this action.
"Our proposals provide arrangements tailored to Scottish circumstances.These proposals have been carefully designed to safeguard Scotland's fishing rights while allowing close working with the rest of the UK to continue."
Jimmy Buchan, star of BBC's Trawlermen series and owner of the Amity, said:"The future of Scotland's fishing communities and the industry that sustains them depends crucially on the fleet having access to sufficient quota. We can no longer afford the loss of quota or the costs imposed by quota speculators.
"With fuel costs at a level that is beginning to threaten the viability of some vessels, action has to be taken to reduce the other costs that vessels have to bear and quota is the most important of these. We welcome this important step by the Scottish Government as it will help reduce the loss of quota to active fishermen and hence the communities in which they live."
The consultation period will run until August 21, 2008. The full consultation document and summary can be found at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current
The main points for consideration are:
1. Stewardship rights which create greater certainty for quota-holders while safeguarding the position for future generations;
2. Holding licences for producer organisations;
3. The importance of clear links between quota-holders and the active fishing industry in Scotland;
4. A quota incentive scheme that optimises quota uptake and reduces costs for the active industry;
5. Giving quota-holders greater flexibility by allowing Fixed Quota Allocation transfers from an "active" licence;
6. Modernising the current arrangements for quota administration and exchange through an internet-based management system;
7. Continuing to allow Scottish Producer Organisations and quota-holders to exchange in-year quota and Fixed Quota Allocations with Producer Organisations or vessel owners elsewhere in the UK;
8. Improving sectoral management in Scotland;
9. A package of measures to safeguard the viability of inshore vessels fishing quota species;
10. Identifying Scottish vessels;
11. Requiring non-Scottish quota-holders to show a beneficial economic link to Scotland's fishing industry;
12. A new Scottish licensing system; and
13. Encouraging new blood into the fishing industry.
The Scottish Government will be holding meetings with stakeholders around the coast of Scotland in the coming weeks. Details of these events can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Home
Responding to the announcement, Bertie Armstrong, the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation said: "Quota is the blood in the veins of the fishing industry so any changes to its management will get our full attention. The debate you normally hear - particularly at the end of each year - is about the setting of the overall size of quota for the United Kingdom.
“This is different and is about the way that quota is administered in Scotland. We don't know all the details yet - we will have to read the paper launched today, but over the twelve weeks of the consultation we will look most carefully at two main issues: firstly what changes are to be made to distribution of quota - given that the quota ‘cake’ is a set size any change will unavoidably have winners and losers; secondly will the new system continue to meet the requirements of the industry to freely and flexibly access quota?"
A MAJOR review of the management of Scotland's fish quota was outlined today by Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead. And the plans give a firm thumbs down to Individual Transferable Quotas for the Scottish fleet.
The new proposals, claimed Mr Lochhead, will give the Scottish Government greater control of fish quota while putting fishermen at the heart of management and strengthening coastal communities for generations to come.
Key recommendations include:
* Safeguarding Scotland's traditional fishing rights for now and the future by keeping them in Scotland.
* Making sure Scottish fishermen get their fair share of quota providing stability and security so that businesses can plan for the future.
* Making sure fishing quotas are only held by businesses who fish them.
* Encouraging new blood into the industry by seeking to develop a new entrants scheme that will allow new fishermen to access quota.
* Reforming licensing to make it simpler and user-friendly so reducing business costs.
Launching the consultation 'Safeguarding Our Fishing Rights: The Future of Quota Management and Licensing in Scotland' at Pittenweem harbour in Fife,Mr Lochhead said: "Fishing provides the lifeblood of many of Scotland's communities and sustains tens of thousands of jobs.It is vital that we take steps to safeguard the historic rights for future generations. This review will help achieve that. The arrangements governing fishing rights are crucial as they provide access to our rich fishing grounds.
"That is why the proposals I have outlined today set out an ambitious new path for Scotland which will allow arrangements to be tailored to Scottish needs. They will put in place new arrangements that will safeguard Scotland's traditional fishing rights for future generations while encouraging the flexibility and stability necessary for sustainable economic growth.
"The proposals show our commitment to a shared approach in fisheries management. And importantly, they will hopefully encourage new blood into the industry.
"Every time I visit a fishing community in Scotland I am asked to take steps to protect fishing rights for future generations. Today's proposals aim to do just that.
"The measures I am outlining today will safeguard one of our national assets - our fish quota.They will also mean that any prospect of Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) being introduced is dead in the water. ITQs are effectively the privatisation of fishing rights which we do not support.I have no doubt we have the support of Scotland's fishing communities in taking this action.
"Our proposals provide arrangements tailored to Scottish circumstances.These proposals have been carefully designed to safeguard Scotland's fishing rights while allowing close working with the rest of the UK to continue."
Jimmy Buchan, star of BBC's Trawlermen series and owner of the Amity, said:"The future of Scotland's fishing communities and the industry that sustains them depends crucially on the fleet having access to sufficient quota. We can no longer afford the loss of quota or the costs imposed by quota speculators.
"With fuel costs at a level that is beginning to threaten the viability of some vessels, action has to be taken to reduce the other costs that vessels have to bear and quota is the most important of these. We welcome this important step by the Scottish Government as it will help reduce the loss of quota to active fishermen and hence the communities in which they live."
The consultation period will run until August 21, 2008. The full consultation document and summary can be found at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current
The main points for consideration are:
1. Stewardship rights which create greater certainty for quota-holders while safeguarding the position for future generations;
2. Holding licences for producer organisations;
3. The importance of clear links between quota-holders and the active fishing industry in Scotland;
4. A quota incentive scheme that optimises quota uptake and reduces costs for the active industry;
5. Giving quota-holders greater flexibility by allowing Fixed Quota Allocation transfers from an "active" licence;
6. Modernising the current arrangements for quota administration and exchange through an internet-based management system;
7. Continuing to allow Scottish Producer Organisations and quota-holders to exchange in-year quota and Fixed Quota Allocations with Producer Organisations or vessel owners elsewhere in the UK;
8. Improving sectoral management in Scotland;
9. A package of measures to safeguard the viability of inshore vessels fishing quota species;
10. Identifying Scottish vessels;
11. Requiring non-Scottish quota-holders to show a beneficial economic link to Scotland's fishing industry;
12. A new Scottish licensing system; and
13. Encouraging new blood into the fishing industry.
The Scottish Government will be holding meetings with stakeholders around the coast of Scotland in the coming weeks. Details of these events can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Home
Responding to the announcement, Bertie Armstrong, the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation said: "Quota is the blood in the veins of the fishing industry so any changes to its management will get our full attention. The debate you normally hear - particularly at the end of each year - is about the setting of the overall size of quota for the United Kingdom.
“This is different and is about the way that quota is administered in Scotland. We don't know all the details yet - we will have to read the paper launched today, but over the twelve weeks of the consultation we will look most carefully at two main issues: firstly what changes are to be made to distribution of quota - given that the quota ‘cake’ is a set size any change will unavoidably have winners and losers; secondly will the new system continue to meet the requirements of the industry to freely and flexibly access quota?"