As part of MP David Cameron’s government reshuffle, Richard Benyon has been replaced as UK Fisheries Minister by George Eustice.
Michael Moore, Secretary for State of Scotland was also replaced by Alistair Carmichael.
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “We will greatly miss Richard Benyon, who has been an impressive fisheries minister. Under his watch we saw the UK corner fought well, including such solid practical outcomes as effort control being frozen and the entirely justified imposition of sanctions on the Faroes for their disregard of an international agreement.”
"We look forward to meeting the new UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice immediately and to work closely with him as the vitally important negotiating season for fishing opportunity and management for 2014 and beyond gets underway,” he added.
Prior to his appointment, Mr Eustice sat on the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee (Efra).
In his new position, he will focus on the marine environment and inland waterways, as well as the EU fisheries reform.
The SFF has also welcomed Alistair Carmichael, with whom they already have a working relationship.
