The ludicrous European Common Fisheries Policy, which sees landlocked nations have more say on fisheries than Scotland, and a failure of the UK Government to fulfill its duty to stand up for Scotland, are combining to put livelihoods at risk.  

Local fishermen, such Peter Hood and Stephen Hood of St Abbs (above), who have done everything they can to fish sustainably and to conserve stocks using line-fishing, face an uncertain future due to cuts in quota, while trawlers from elsewhere are seeing their quotas increase.  It is madness.

The SNP has long been recognised as being the strongest and most vocal defender of the fishing industry in Scotland. The SNP has championed the interests of the sector and advocated withdrawal from the Common Fisheries Policy.

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, among others.

Fishing also provides the heart of many of our coastal communities who depend on the success of that industry and has been a key factor in making them the way they are today, both in culture and appearance. In Berwickshire, fishing plays a major role in providing the core appeal to tourists.  

The SNP regard fishing as being absolutely vital to our national economic interest, not only because of its cultural impact and heritage, but because it is a vital component of our food supply and generates economic value for the local economy.  It should be given the support that it deserves and our detailed policy on fishing is set out here. 

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.

Your local SNP branch in Berwickshire, our MSPs, such as Michael Russell, and our candidate, Paul Wheelhouse, will be doing everything they can to promote the particular interests of our local fishermen in Berwickshire and the interests of the onshore processing industry.  Give us your support, so we can help make sure there is still a fishing industry in Berwickshire beyond the next 5 years.  

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