Delay to implementation period would harm fish catching sector. An extension of the implementation period due to the latest Brexit delay would be highly damaging for the Scottish fishing fleet.
That was the warning from Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, in her first speech to the annual SFF dinner last night (Wed) in Edinburgh.
Currently, the implementation period is due to end in December 2020, and given the established timetable of annual international fisheries negotiations, it is imperative that the UK should be functioning as a fully independent coastal state by then.
Ms Macdonald said: “Leaving the Common Fisheries Policy and being able to determine for ourselves who catches what, where and when in UK waters represents huge opportunity for the industry.
“The potential to double the amount of raw material caught and made available to the processors to add value to, and the opportunity for the wider supply chain represents real economic benefits for Scotland. We believe there is real scope for this to be one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy in future.
“Obviously it is for politicians to determine how and when the UK leaves the EU and when the industry is unshackled from the CFP, and we will continue to work closely with governments both in Westminster and Edinburgh to secure the best outcomes for our industry, recognising that we need viable supply chains across the whole sector, both inshore and offshore, to reap the greatest economic benefits for Scotland that this opportunity presents.
“Tomorrow should have marked the start of the next stage of that journey, but we now know that will not be the case. We now face more political turbulence and likely a general election in the weeks ahead.
“While the EU has agreed an extension to January 31st for the UK to make up its mind about what sort of exit it wants, we are absolutely clear that any extension of an implementation period beyond the end of 2020 would be fundamentally damaging to the opportunities that lie ahead for us.”
She noted that during the current round of international negotiations, positive agreements had been reached in relation to the three key pelagic stocks, mackerel, herring and blue whiting.
“It is no secret, however, that the scientific advice for North Sea cod is much more challenging for next year, and there is a great deal of work going on within industry and government to find a way forward, seeking to strike a balance between measures to help the stock, and that allow the fleet to remain at sea.”
Ms Macdonald also highlighted the wide range of work carried out by the SFF on safety, on stock assessment (through the on-board observer scheme) and on marine planning and licensing.
She also spoke of her pride in being the first woman CEO of the SFF.
“There are a great many talented and successful women working across the industry, and I’m delighted that some of them are here with us tonight, and I hope that we can encourage more women and girls into this great industry, where there are opportunities for so many different sorts of careers.”