Minister Announces Western Isles Will Be Among First To Manage Inshore Fishery Locally

The Fisheries Minister, Ross Finnie, announced at a meeting of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) in Musselburgh on Monday, that the Western Isles will be one of the first two Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGs) to be set up by spring 2006, along with the area between Eyemouth and Montrose.

SIFAG proposes twelve IFGs by 2008. IFGs will be responsible for developing specific management plans to meet the needs of their local fisheries.It is anticipated that areas will extend to the 12nm fishery limits, although the IFGs will initially be concerned with fisheries to 6nm.

Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie said:
"This announcement marks the most significant change in inshore fisheries management in a generation and highlights our determination to drive forward the implementation of our Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries.

"Local fishermen will now have more power to plan for and react to local circumstances and to develop new planning measures that suit their geographical conditions and the needs of their fisheries.

"Fishermen have a wealth of knowledge and expertise about their own local fisheries. It is crucial that this valuable resource is tapped into and used to create well managed, sustainable and profitable fisheries for coastal communities."

Paible councillor Archie Campbell, chairman of both the Comhairle’s Fisheries Joint Consultative and Sustainable Development committees added:
“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar warmly welcomes this announcement and we look forward to working alongside Western Isles Enterprise and the Western Isles Fisherman's Association in co-ordinating efforts to establish an Inshore Fisheries Group for the Western Isles.”

IFGs will be non-statutory but will have a managerial role, along with the Executive and SIFAG. SIFAG was established in 1999 by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Development (SEERAD) to advise Ministers on the development and implementation of policy and legislation relating to fishing in inshore waters.

The Scottish Executive through the Scottish Fishery Protection Agency (SFPA) will be responsible for enforcement of regulations. The main role of IFGs will be to deliver local objectives (complementary to national high-level objectives), which reflect the priorities and circumstances of their areas. The groups will also develop Local Management Plans to deliver these objectives.

The other proposed, ten IFGs roughly cover the following areas: the east coast from Montrose to north of Peterhead; the Moray Firth to Duncansby Head; the north coast; the west coast to the Skye bridge; the small isles and Mull; the south west; Clyde; Solway; Shetland, and (possibly) Orkney.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk