Scottish fishing industry vital to UK economy
Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies visited Mallaig in the West of Scotland this week, where he discussed the importance of fishing to the British economy.
Following the UK’s first food security assessment, Mr Irranca-Davies saw first-hand the huge contribution of Scotland’s fishing industry to meeting the needs of Britain’s food supply.
He said: ‘Fishing is worth more than £620 million a year to the UK economy and seafood is an important part of our diet, so we need a fishing industry that has a long-term future.’
Mr Irranca-Davies met fishermen and fish processors to see how fish get from ‘net to knife’ and discussed how fisheries policy can be shaped to ensure a sustainable future for the wider fishing industry.
‘We want to move away from the annual haggling over quotas and look at the long-term sustainability of fish stocks in a healthy marine environment. Fishermen like those I’ve met today are leading the way in new conservation measures,’ he added.
The UK recently successfully resisted EU attempts to close the important West of Scotland fishing grounds for cod, haddock and whiting, introducing a new management regime for these stocks as a more appropriate alternative.
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Page last modified: 12 August 2009
Page published: 12 August 2009