Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead says fleets that take decisive action to tackle discards and pioneer ground-breaking schemes such as Real Time Closures should be rewarded with options to buy back days at sea and allowed to land more of what is currently discarded.
During last week's parliamentary debate, Mr Lochhead also confirmed that the industry is to help co-produce a new fisheries action plan in partnership with the Scottish Government. It will aim to provide some respite from tough European restrictions and the worldwide economic recession and be published early next year.
The plan is expected to comprise four key elements:
• Improving the wider international framework for fisheries management
• Managing fishing quota and effort allocations in a way that promotes sustainability and profitability
• Working with the industry to help maximise the value of the catch
• Ensuring we have a resilient fleet crewed by a skilled workforce
It comes as Ministers and officials prepare to fight for the fairest possible deal for Scotland at the autumn fisheries negotiations.
The proposed action plan will be discussed with all sectors of the industry over the coming weeks, and will be discussed in detail at the next meeting of the Scottish Fisheries Council on 19 January 19 2010.
