RAIDS BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS IN FRASERBURGH AND MALLAIG

Raids by Immigration Officers in Fraserburgh and Mallaig. Statement from Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association.

Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) Chief executive, Mike Park said:

“SWFPA fully supports action against exploitation and illegal employment, but it is important that quite different circumstances are not conflated. Not all of the vessels involved in this operation were actively fishing – some were undertaking guard duties in the North Sea.

“Nor does the term ‘illegal workers’ necessarily mean that the overseas crew concerned were themselves in the UK illegally. In some cases, the issue is the way in which they have been deployed. Crew may be entitled to work on vessels, but not within the 12-mile limit. That is an important distinction, both for the individuals concerned and for the reputation of the wider Scottish fishing industry.”

Image: ©Fish Focus