SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has expressed dismay after the European Parliament backed moves by the Commission to extend “flawed” fisheries regulations for a further 18 months.
He said the regulations force fishermen to discard perfectly marketable fish into the sea. At present it is estimated that some 42% of marketable haddock caught off the west coast of Scotland is dumped overboard.
The Scottish Government - backed by the fishing industry - had been campaigning to amend the rules to reduce discards and allow sustainable scallop fishing.
owever the Commission - with the support of the UK Labour party - refused to allow any changes to the existing failed legislation.
Mr Hudghton commented:
"Extending these deeply flawed rules for a further 18 months quite simply means another 18 months of dumping fish over the side. The Commission has recently been vocal in its condemnation of discard but in reality they are being utterly hypocritical.
"The Scottish government, with the backing of fishermen and politicians from across Europe, had made suggestions to improve the situation. However, these were ignored by the Commission - just as the fishing industry has been ignored for decades.
"It's fitting that, on the day the Labour party published their manifesto, Scottish Labour MEPs were lining up to stab the industry in the back. London Labour have always treated our coastal communities with contempt and today we were given a clear reminder.
"Powers over fisheries must be returned to Europe's fishing nations and politicians must work in partnership with the industry. The European Parliament's vote shows yet again that the EU is unfit to manage our marine resources."
