25 May, 2007

THE SCOTTISH Fishermen's Federation will today (Friday) officially welcome Richard Lochhead as the new fisheries minister.

SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong is to meet the new minister when he visits the Fishing 2007 Exhibition at the SECC, Glasgow.

Mr Armstrong said: "We have a new man at the helm and this presents the opportunity for a fresh start.

"The 15 point action plan for Scottish fishing, published during the election, contains a great deal of what we have been campaigning for.

"There will be much to discuss and refine, but we at the sharp end of the industry look forward to addressing this with the cabinet secretary.

"Top of the agenda is the proper representation of Scottish fishing as the predominant part of UK commercial fishing, both on the international stage and in domestic decision-making."