Consultation: Allocation of Scottish Quotas

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Rùnaire a' Chaibineit airson Cùisean Dùthchail agus na h- Àrainneachd Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Ridseard Lochhead BPA Richard Lochhead MSP

Email: QM-ConsultationonScottishQuotas@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Scottish fishing vessel licensees Members of the Fisheries Management and Conservation Group Members of the Inshore Fisheries Management and Conservation Group Chief Executives of Scottish local authorities Fish Producer Organisations Inshore Fisheries Groups Other interested parties

___ 26 June 2014 CONSULTATION ON SCOTTISH FISH QUOTAS I wrote to you on 21 February 2014, about the Government’s plan to hold a public consultation on the allocation of Scotland’s fish quotas. I am writing again now to inform you that the consultation paper has been published. Copies will be placed in Fishery Offices and the document is available to read on the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/Sea-Fisheries/allocationofscottishquotas I want to emphasise that this is a consultation where all options are on the table. The Government has no plan pre-prepared for what is to come afterwards. I know that the ways in which we make fish quota, a national resource, available to fishermen in Scotland is a subject of intense interest to individuals, businesses and communities. It is an issue that deserves proper consideration and careful reflection.

That’s why the Government consultation paper describes all the options available to Scotland and assesses how each might pursue the Government’s objectives. There are essentially 3 options:   

Keep the status quo; Make changes to the current system to try to achieve more of the Government’s policy objectives; or, Move to a new system.

At least while the consultation continues, there will be a moratorium on the permanent transfer of FQA units from Scottish to non-Scottish fishing licences. The moratorium has no effect on in year leasing of quota: this can continue as normal.

I come to this important issue with an open mind about how we pursue a positive future for Scottish fishing and its communities. But as I do that I will keep to the forefront of my mind three points, which I think are critical to how we should assess the options for the future: 

I accept that it is likely always to be the case that fish quota will need to move between fishermen and Producer Organisations, and that movement of quota will probably involve a level of trade. That seems reasonable. But what is cIearly unreasonable is a situation where fishermen are effectively held to ransom by those that hold quota but have no need to fish it.

We must have a system where it is a practicable prospect for fishermen to gain access to the

Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent, Dùn Èideann EH1 3DG St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.scotland.gov.uk

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quota that they need to build a successful business. It is imperative for me that the allocation system allows the active fishing industry to control its future; 

I believe passionately that fishing is about more than individual businesses. I believe it is also about places, traditions and communities. Moreover, fishing is a dynamic industry: it has and will continue to change. But it is critical to me that change serves fishing communities and is in the national interest. I want to see the economic benefits of fishing enjoyed in its communities and by the people there, and not in places distant from those with a stake in its past and committed to its future. I want in particular to do what we can do to make sure that there continues to be a strong place in Scottish fishing for the smaller family and local businesses that are so widely valued in fishing communities; and,

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I am acutely aware that for fishermen quota is an issue of immediate, practical importance to day to day operations, and to how plans are made for the future. Among all the ups and downs of catching wild fish, skippers and businesses need to know where they stand with quota now and what they can expect next. That’s why the Government proposes that, even if there is a decision after the consultation for a new basis or system for allocation, which is only one of the three conclusions possible, there would be a significant period of notice before any new system comes into effect. In the consultation paper, we propose a notice period of 7 years, during which existing quota allocation rules would continue as now. I emphasise again however that the Government has an open mind about all the options.

As you consider your thoughts, I ask you to weigh in the balance the risks of doing nothing, of leaving things as they are because of an understandable worry about change. I well understand that in recent years change seems to have been all there has been.

Many people that I speak to say that the fishing industry is rapidly approaching a tipping point that it may be difficult to pull back from. I am concerned as others are that the risk of doing nothing could be an accelerating consolidation of power and profit. I am also concerned that more of our fishing rights may be exported out of Scotland, to interests with no link or commitment to the active fisherman, only to be leased back to Scottish fishermen at prices that threaten their viability. Of course, independence will stop Scottish-held quotas from being permanently transferred out of Scotland to other parts of the UK. I hope that you will find time to read the consultation paper and to offer the Government your views on this important matter. The consultation will close on 17 October and details on how to respond are below.

Yours sincerely,

RICHARD LOCHHEAD How to respond to the consultation: By email: QM-ConsultationonScottishQuotas@scotland.gsi.gov.uk; or, by post: Scottish Government quota consultation Area 1-B (S) Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent, Dùn Èideann EH1 3DG St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.scotland.gov.uk

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