22 June 2009

WORK begins this week to assess the impact the recession is having on Scotland's fishing industry.

The Sea Fish Industry Authority has been awarded a research project: 'Assessing the Economic Impact on the UK Fleet of the Cod Recovery Plan, West of Scotland Measures and the Economic Downturn'.

The detailed study will look at how issues such as quota levels, fuel and fish prices, and the days at sea regime are affecting fishermen in the current economic climate.

The research aim is to demonstrate how the sharp adjustments required by the Cod Recovery Plan and the West of Scotland measures have impacted the profit and long-term viability of the UK fleet.

The announcement comes as Scottish rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead flies to Luxembourg for the latest round of fisheries and agriculture talks.

Mr Lochhead said: "The tough restrictions imposed on the fleet this year by the EU, combined with the global economic situation, are undoubtedly making life challenging for some of our fishermen.

"Our new economic impact assessment will provide a detailed picture of the issues and allow us to work with the industry and Europe to map out a profitable future for our fishermen.

"When I met Commissioner Borg at the European Seafood Exposition in April, I urged him to commission an economic study at a European level.

“I am pleased to see that this has come to fruition and we are now seeking a meeting over the summer to discuss the complementary work we are doing.”

Mr Lochhead’s move was welcomed by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, last night (Sunday).

Its chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “This is very much one of the missing elements of the restrictive new regulations applied for 2009, which were introduced without any thought or proper economic analysis given to the actual impact they would have on the fishing industry.

"We therefore welcome this new economic impact study. There can always be a choice in the severity and speed of introduction of new control measures and this is why a socio-economic analysis of the effects is essential.

“Otherwise, there is a real danger that instead of treating the patient, the medicine administered will end up killing it."