To tackle deliberate acts of gear vandalism at sea and help resolve conflicts within the fishing industry, the Scottish government is establishing a task force.
The government says that sometimes conflicts arise as a result of competition between local and nomadic fishing operators, as well as between trawlers and creelers in different parts of the country
In addition to the taskforce, the government will be conducting a review of technology deployed to manage fisheries, and consider what changes can be made to improve management, and reduce the likelihood of any conflict occurring in the first place.
It will also undertake an assessment of inshore fisheries management arrangements and consider if these contribute to competition between different fishing gears and what measures can be taken to reduce risks of tensions arising.
Finally it will work with industry to explore options for establishing a gear interactions committee that encompasses the entire industry.
Scottish fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead said, “In the vast majority of cases fishers manage to share the marine environment in a harmonious manner and appreciate the importance of effective co-existence in their use of a precious resource.
“Conflict is thankfully not the norm but needs to be addressed when it arises. My preference is for industry to work together and deal with it locally when it arises. Key to this is improving communications on all sides, and if necessary we will do what we can to help the industry in this process.”
This initiative has been welcomed by the Scottish Creel Fishermen's Federation and Scottish Fishermen's Federation.
