Commenting on the European Commission’s proposals to cut fishing quotas by 25 per cent for cod, haddock, herring and whiting catches off the West of Scotland in 2009 and reducing fishermen’s days at sea, Liberal Democrat Fisheries spokesperson Liam McArthur said:
“There is no doubt that a number of our key stocks are in a very poor state, but equally it is clear that some of the Commission's more draconian proposals are not justified. The European Commission’s proposals will prompt alarm within the Scottish fishing industry and the communities that depend on it.
“It is to be hoped that this is the opening negotiating position from the Commission. Scottish Ministers must now mount the case for a more sophisticated approach to be taken. Increasing use of selective gear, real time closures and other measures can provide necessary safeguards for scarce fish stocks while enabling the Scottish fleet still to go to sea.
Mr McArthur also attacked the Scottish Conservatives for posturing on this key issue:
"Meantime, the Scottish Tories are all at sea on this issue. They attack the more flexible kilowatt days regime, just because it is supported by the Commission. Also, despite having derided Regional Advisory Councils when they were set up originally, they have now come round to acknowledging that the RACs need to be given more powers. Scotland's fishermen will think little of such blatant posturing."
