SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT MUST STAND UP FOR BERWICKSHIRE FISHERMEN

12.00.00am GMT Thu 27th Nov 2008

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, has today spoken out on the importance of Scotland’s fishing fleet ahead of the crucial annual Fisheries Council talks during a debate in the Scottish Parliament and pressed the case for Berwickshire fishermen.

The EU Fisheries Council negotiations take place in December and will determine fishing quotas for 2009.

Jim Hume said:

“I share the concerns of Berwickshire fishermen who are worried that the EU Commission is proposing a reduction of 13% in the langoustines catch, and my colleague, Borders MP Michael Moore, has already sought assurances from UK Ministers that the proposal will be resisted.

“A cut of this size would have a huge impact upon the livelihoods of Berwickshire fishermen and the Cabinet Secretary needs to fight the case for the Berwickshire fleet, a fleet which has already had to bear significant costs in fuel increases - this proposed reduction would do nothing to help them and I frankly question the science behind it.

The MSP continued:

“In his discussions with EU Fisheries Commissioner, Joe Borg, Mr Lochhead needs to renegotiate this proposed reduction which will see an already hard pressed sector pressed even further if applied.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. News on the European Fisheries Fund 2006-2013 (EFF) - Jim Hume and Michael Moore successfully campaigned for Eyemouth and the Berwickshire coastline to be considered for Fisheries Dependent Area status which would allow access to diversification (axis 4) funding within the EFF.

Following recent advice from the Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative Berwickshire it seems likely that Eyemouth and the Berwickshire Coastline will receive such status.