This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Securing a long term future for fishing fleets
02/09/2005
Some of Scotland's top fishing, food processing and environmental experts are coming together to make up an advisory group charged with ensuring that the sea fishing industry is more sustainable, profitable and well managed.
They will work to identify key actions to take forward under the Executive's Sustainable Framework for Scottish Sea Fisheries and set indicators to measure the industry's progress.
This work will be supported with additional funding also announced today at a major meeting of fisheries interests in Inverness.
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie said:
"I believe that our Sustainable Framework will make a real difference to the prospects for sea fishing in Scotland.
"In order to achieve this, it is important that the strategy comes to life and I am relying on the experts on this Advisory Group to turn the ideas contained in the strategy into direct actions.
"I am delighted to be awarding £150,000 to Seafood Scotland to help them maximise their contribution to implementing the priorities set out in the framework.
"This is a net to plate strategy and Seafood Scotland has an important role in helping the industry deliver a prime product to the customer's table."
The following experts and organisations have so far agreed to serve on the Advisory Group:
Alex West, Scottish Fishermen's Federation
Bertie Armstrong, Scottish Fishermen's Federation and co-chair of Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group
James Anderson, Scottish Fishermen's Federation
Roddy McColl, Fishermen's Association Ltd
Iain MacSween, Scottish Fishermen's Organisation and Chairman of Seafood Scotland
Linda Cross, Scottish Seafood Processors Federation
Andrew Mallison, Marks and Spencer
Lloyd Austin, Head of Policy Operations, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Dr Richard Dixon, Director, WWF Scotland
John Rutherford, Chief Executive, Seafish
Duncan McInnes, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (Board)
Mike Kaiser, University of Bangor
Robin Cook, Fisheries Research Service
Paul DuVivier, Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
A small number of other appointments will be made shortly including representatives from Scottish Enterprise and COSLA.
The Advisory Group is expected to meet for the first time meet in late September or early October.
Seafood Scotland was set up by the Scottish Industry in 1999 with the aim of improving the value of the returns obtained for the seafood supply chain in Scotland. It works closely with the UK non-departmental public body Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish), economic development agencies and local authorities with important fisheries interests.