The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation will be urging Joe Borg, the EC Director General of Fisheries & Maritime Affairs, during a visit to Aberdeen and Shetland on October 19 to recognise the huge steps the Scottish industry has taken towards sustainability and ensure that there is a level playing field in the forthcoming catch opportunity talks for 2007.
Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive will be on a panel putting questions to Mr Borg on Thursday morning at an energy breakfast in Aberdeen hosted by UKOOA, (the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association).
“I will be telling Mr Borg that the Scottish industry is sustainably harvesting its target species and that the importance of our industry must not be overshadowed by other users of the North Sea, including the oil and gas industry,” said Mr Armstrong.
He will then accompany Mr Borg, along with a delegation from the Scottish Executive, to a meeting in Aberdeen of the North Sea Regional Advisory Council before travelling to Lerwick for talks with the Shetland Fishermen’s Association.
“We will highlight to the Commissioner that Scotland has put together a plan for the future of its fishing industry. We have put our own house in order and that our industry deserves proper recognition of its efforts. This includes ensuring that there is a level playing field in the forthcoming catch opportunity talks.”
