Right to fish ?

An eleventh-hour plea to the UK Government to scrap plans to abolish a statutory “right to fish” granted more than 200 years ago in an amendment raised by Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran to the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill.

Mr Doran will argue against a clause intended to protect the marine environment which specifically repeals the right granted in the White Herring Act of 1771.

Apparently the SFF had advised that the 238-year-old law granted the right to catch white fish as well as herring and there was concern that its repeal had no regard for the livelihood of fishermen.

Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said he had received a written warning from an SFF adviser: “No harm is done by the retention of the act and in my submission, as important rights are secured by it, it is essential that it remains on the statute book.”

Among other clauses Mr Doran will oppose is one which fails to make it clear that “social and economic considerations” including the effect on fishing communities must be taken into account when extending environmental controls at sea.

A SFF spokesman said it had been taking a limited interest in the bill because regulating orders, which it provides for, will not directly affect Scottish fishermen, but concerns had been awakened “by news that Scottish ministers wish to see similar provisions in the Scottish Marine Bill”.

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