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The SNP has long been recognised as being the strongest and most
vocal defender of the fishing industry in Scotland.
Scotland's fishing industry provides tens of thousands of jobs
and generates hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish
economy and areas such as Eyemouth, Burnmouth, St Abbs and Cove
still rely to varying degrees on catching sector jobs today. Other
locations, such as Eyemouth and Duns, also rely very much on the
onshore processing activity, with significant employment in
companies such as DR Collin and Son, and Burgon's.
Fishing also provides the heart of many of our coastal
communities who depend on the success of that industry. The SNP
regard fishing as being absolutely vital to our national economic
interest and should be given the support that it deserves. The UK
has always given, and always will give, fishing a low priority
status, as was demonstrated when the Tory government of Ted Heath
negotiated away our fishing grounds and fishing jobs as expendable
pawns in the game of diplomacy prior to gaining entry to the then
EEC, now EU. The SNP will always give fishing the attention and
representation it deserves.
In 2005, Alex Salmond, presented a Fisheries Jurisdiction Bill to
the House of Commons. The Bill sought to take the United Kingdom out
of the Common Fisheries Policy, giving those powers to the Northern
Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Houses of
parliament (in regard to English waters). The Fisheries Jurisdiction
Bill was backed by MPs from every political group in the House
of Commons as well as fisheries organisations from across the United
Kingdom.
At the time, Alex Salmond said:
"The Common Fisheries Policy has been a disaster for
Scotland fishing communities. The Scottish fishing industry is a
vitally important part of the economy and cannot be left to fester
under this discredited Policy and failed Brussels micro-management.
"It is time to return fisheries back to national control. We
must return power over the management of our fishing industry to
national control. In particular fishermen and other stakeholders
must be included in the management regime.
"Our maritime neighbours in Norway, Iceland and the Faroe
Islands all operate successful, economically vibrant and
environmentally sustainable fishery outside the Common Fisheries
Policy.
"The fishing industry in Scotland employs tens of thousands
of people and contributes billions to the economy. Our continued
membership of the Common Fisheries Policy is damaging that key
industry and withdrawal is a political priority."
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