Over 200 Scottish fishing vessels would face an uncertain future if Scotland separated from the rest of the United Kingdom – that is the warning from UK Shadow Fisheries Minister Fiona O’Donnell.
 
Official figures obtained from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs via a parliamentary question have revealed that there are 144 fishing boats in Scotland that are registered to an English port and 73 vessels that have their quota set by English and Northern Irish Producer Organisations.  
 
As talks over the long-running mackerel quota dispute between the EU, Iceland and the Faroes continue, Ms O’Donnell is seeking further clarity on the consequences of separation for the Scottish fishing industry. 
 
Labour Shadow Fisheries Minister, Fiona O’Donnell MP, said:
 
“Fishermen in Scotland currently enjoy the flexibility and benefits of being part of the UK by being able to manage their quota south of the border according to their needs and many do. Currently there are 217 boats either registered in an English port or get their quota from Producer Organisations in other parts of the UK. 
 
“The Scottish fishing industry is stronger within the UK. Losing the flexibility and security that comes with being part of the UK would be bad for the industry, the thousands of jobs it creates both directly and indirectly, and the fragile coastal and island communities whose very existence depends on a strong, viable sector.
 
“With more cuts to the number of days they can spend at sea, these are already very tough times for our fishermen. Scottish fishermen deserve to know the real consequences of breaking away from the rest of the United Kingdom.  Instead of providing answers to these tough questions, the SNP government seems to be asking Scottish fishermen simply to take a gamble.”

15 February 2012