|
Click here to return to
the Press Release Index
31st May 2009
Johnstone Opposes EU Fishing Law Change
North East Tory MSP Alex Johnstone has hit
out at European proposals to extend fishing quotas to
include small boat owners who take out recreational anglers,
requiring them to declare the number and type of fish caught
by their customers.
Mr Johnstone said "I have now spoken to a
number of Stonehaven Skippers who take out fishing parties
and would be caught by these new regulations."
"After making some enquires, I have been
told that the EU fisheries commissioner has already stated
that the object of the new laws is to protect Tuna stocks in
the Mediterranean, and the impact to Scottish boat owners is
an unintended consequence of that. This of course, will be
of little comfort to boat owners and the thousands of
recreational anglers in Scotland who will be forced to
comply with this law, and no doubt pay a fee for the
privilege of doing so."
"This will be yet more useless red tape for
a sector that has year round costs, but a relatively short
fishing season and has also had to contend with very high
diesel costs set against a backdrop of national and
international recession."
"These boat owners can play a significant,
though often unrecognised part in the tourism economy which
is so important to a town like Stonehaven. This legislation
will add another burden of time and cost to an industry
sector that does not have its troubles to seek. As a result,
a business which could have seen growth in the next few
years will instead be subjected to more red tape and
restrictions."
"If the aim of these laws is to protect fish
stocks in the Mediterranean, then they should be focused on
achieving that, rather than a blanket legislation which
provides another burden, but no benefits."
Mr Johnstone is working closely with Tory
MEP Struan Stevenson in a bid to make the EU aware of the
impact this law, which is to be considered next month, would
have on some local boat owners boat owners.
|
