New measures to reduce discards of Scotland''s valuable fish stocks were announced this week.
Chairing the third meeting of the Scottish Fisheries Council, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed that a 'Discards Summit' will take place in Edinburgh on September 25.
The summit will bring together industry representatives, scientists, environmentalists and policy makers to discuss measures to dramatically reduce discarding, drawing on best practice being developed in Scotland and internationally.
Mr Lochhead also announced that he is to meet with Norwegian State Secretary Vidar Ulriksen at the start of next month to discuss the issue of discards.
Both countries believe it will be a crucial issue at this autumn's EU/Norway negotiations and the December Council.
Speaking after the SFC meeting, Mr Lochhead said:
"I am not alone in believing that discards are an environmental and economic waste - fishermen, scientists and the public are all in agreement on this issue. I am determined to work with the sector and colleagues across Europe to bring about a radical reduction in the levels of discards in Scottish fisheries.
"I will also shortly be meeting my Norwegian counter-part to discuss the serious problem of discards in the North Sea. Unacceptable levels of discards have arisen due to some of the bureaucracy and regulations currently in place. I'm looking forward to developing a joint approach with Norway on putting an end to this waste of healthy and precious natural resources.
