Fishing policy changes under the spotlight
(Story dated: Friday, July 16, 2004)

A South Ronaldsay creel fisherman has called on his colleagues to have their say, at a public meeting into changes to inshore fisheries policy which could change the face of the industry.

A representative from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department will be holding an open meeting tomorrow (Friday) at 8.15pm, in the Albert Hotel, in Kirkwall, to explain what the strategic review of inshore fisheries policy is all about.

Proposals contained in the review include the establishment of new management committees which will put fisheries management at a local level.

Robert Smith, of Shoreside, has already expressed fears that the changes could decimate the county's creel industry.

This week he visited Campbeltown-based Patrick Stewart, of Clyde Fishermen's Association, who helped to draft the plans, in an effort to raise the profile of the changes.

Mr Smith, who has been a creel fisherman on his boat the Golden West, for ten years, has asserted the management structure proposed fits exactly the criteria for securing the next round of financial instruments for fisheries guidance grants.

The Scottish Inshore Advisory Group (SIFAG) helped to draft the proposals and includes all fishermen's associations including Orkney's.

However, Mr Smith claims that the industry is being sold out by the fishermen's associations, an allegation denied by Alan Coghill, secretary of Orkney Fishermen's Association.

"I'm sure that the majority of fishermen in Scotland will be against the proposals already and when the full implications of this plan is understood, fishermen will be 100 per cent against it," said Mr Smith.

"The calls of support I'm receiving from local fishermen and other fishermen's associations suggest I'm speaking for a lot more fishermen than myself.

"Alan suggests that SIFAG are not aware of any fund available to implement the proposed management plan and I should substantiate my claim."

Mr Smith refers to a passage found in the fisheries directorate website which lays European proposals for funding the inshore fishing industry.

He said: "When a group of vessel owners or fishing family units (fisheries associations) involved in small scale fisheries put in place an integrated collective project to improve the structure of their fishing activities, group participants will be able to benefit from a lump sum premium (maximum Euro 150,000)."

He goes on to say that there are several grants contained in the proposals which would encourage fishermen to go along with the reforms.

He added: "Small carrots and big sticks in the above should be obvious to all but the most dull minded. If this management plan is implemented, there are dozens of opportunities to secure funding for the industry.

"The one drawback is that the industry will be regulated to death as a result. He who pays the piper calls the tune."

He has also expressed concerns about whether the public meeting, which has been organised by OFA, will be fair.

Alan Coghill explained that the public meeting will give the fishermen an opportunity to discuss the matter fully.

But Mr Smith said: "The fact is that no fishermen have received a copy of the proposals and if it weren't for my efforts to open up the debate they would arrive at the meeting totally in the dark and at a severe disadvantage. In effect they could only sit and listen.

"How could they engage in any discussion with no background knowledge of the proposals?

"Seerad should send a copy of the proposals to every licensed fisherman as a matter of urgency.

"Full and open debate is my objective."