See below a copy of the text of Tim's column for Fishing News, which was published on 25th September 2024.
FISHING NEWS - POLITICAL PODIUM
TIM EAGLE MSP
EU LANDINGS NEED TIGHTER MONITORING
I have held various discussions with fishermen over recent weeks and months about the level of inspections which are differing between UK and EU boats. In places such as Scrabster, fishing boat owners have told me that UK vessels are being disproportionately searched at sea and during landing. The Marine Inspectorate argue this is simply because there are more UK boats. However, from research I have been collating at Scottish Parliament level, it seems EU boats are far more often ignored with a particular problem around transhipping within unlabelled boxes. There is a discussion to be had that several tonnes of fish such as Whitefish and Mackerel are taken from the North Sea every year with no value to Scottish fishing. The data is therefore missing from UK stats which make the figures unreliable. I will continue to raise the issue at parliament.
Meanwhile, last month, the Scottish Government’s consultation on banning certain types of equipment from waters will heighten fishermen’s concerns about being squeezed out of large areas of the sea. This consultation comes when our fishing industry is already worried that HPMA proposals will reappear under a different guise in the future. The Scottish Government must work with the sector to conduct an evidence-based approach to marine planning decisions at a time when 37% of Scottish waters are already protected under the existing MPA network. Spatial squeeze is among the biggest fears within the fishing industry which is why it’s vital as many people as possible respond to this consultation. Living along the North East coastline myself, I know, like many, that fishing helps to form the lifeblood of our coastal communities and it’s imperative the industry has a voice at the table for shaping policy.
