Scottish commercial sector at risk

FISHERMEN have issued a stark warning that their future is at stake unless the new government takes urgent remedial action.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has said that large sections of the fleet faced being forced out of business.

Their Chief Executive Bertie Armstrong said: "For an alarmingly wide proportion of the industry just now, survival is the key issue. The single most important issue for a fisherman is whether his boat or business survives and makes a profit. If that doesn’t happen, then nothing else matters."

Mr Armstrong conceded that the health and abundance of stocks would govern opportunities, but said the fleet depended on ministers in London and Edinburgh acting in its interest.

He added: "Much, much more needs to be done – and done now."

It’s understandable that any single fisherman is focused on his own survival but the industry as a whole through its representative organizations should have done far more in the past to recognize the issues and have done "Much, much more to ensure the future of stocks “ instead of supporting excessive exploitation and poor fishing practices.

Category: Commercial