Joint quota reform group welcomed

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has welcomed the announcement that a joint ministerial group is to be set-up to take forward reforms on new quota and licensing arrangements for Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “This latest development is welcome. There were many helpful suggestions in the original proposals and this now clears the way for them to be put in place.

“There has been a long-running wrangle over the management of quotas and TACs – the lifeblood of the industry – and rather than this issue becoming an unwelcome distraction when there are other vital issues on the fisheries agenda, this new development allows the UK and Scottish governments to work together.”