22 April, 2009

THE SCOTTISH National Party has called for an end to the European Union's central role in fisheries decision making and the return of those powers to the individual nations, including Scotland.

The European Commission is expected to publish its green paper on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) today (Wednesday).

It is expected to say that the current CFP has failed to protect stocks and that further cuts in fleet sizes have to be made.

The paper will be discussed by the council of fisheries ministers on Thursday prior to a consultation, which will last until the end of the year.

Yesterday the SNP's president and member of the European parliament, Ian Hudghton, said every aspect of fishing management needed to be reviewed.

"I welcome the fact that the commission has finally acknowledged that the CFP has been an unmitigated disaster.

"The problems with the CFP began when historic rights were taken away from Europe's coastal nations and powers were transferred to the centre.

"It is now time to reverse that process and return these powers to individual nations working in cooperation on a regional basis," he said.

He added: "A well managed fishing industry should and does have a bright and sustainable future. Scotland continues to have some of the best fisheries resources in Europe and the management of those resources should be brought closer to Scotland's fishing communities."

His Westminster colleague, Angus MacNeil MP, added: "The CFP has failed to protect either our coastal communities or the marine environment.

"If we look to the north of Scotland many of our European neighbours operate successfully outside its scope. Our fishing communities deserve better.

"This root and branch review is an important opportunity to build a sound management policy and sustainable future for fishing."