‘Let’s Get Real’ If Holyrood Wants to Take a Hard Line on Fishing Ban Supertrawlers
‘While sparks fly between Ireland and Scotland over Rockall the operators of the Super Trawlers are rubbing their hands with glee as their floating factories sweep the seas’
Fishermen from Co Donegal are showing remarkable restraint. After the Greencastle based MFV ‘Northern Celt’ was stopped and boarded last week by the SFPV ‘Jura. Donegal, fishermen are now avoiding the 12 mile zone around Rockall and pinning their hopes on a diplomatic resolution (see link):
The Scottish (SNP) government for its part is possibly trying to demonstrate to fishing communities in the country’s North East that it will protect their livelihoods in a way that the London government has not. Communities around Aberdeen drifted towards the Conservatives at the last election on the promise of Brexit and ‘taking back control’ and probably felt let down by the subsequent Brexit deal. This is a way for H
‘War At Sea?’
The UK right wing press are revelling following the news that PM Boris Johnson is sabre rattling over a possible no deal Brexit by threatening to deploy greater numbers of naval warships to protest UK fishing grounds.
Currently two River Class OPVs are deployed in the new scenario two more will be on standby. The UK has also indicated it may increase the number although how at a time RN resources are stretched is another matter.
Behind the headlines on this recent ‘storm at sea’ which has blown up the facts are more nuanced. For a start although the UK has a large territorial sea area fishery protection is a devolved issue. Would the Scottish government seek additional support for its area of responsibility. Marine Scotland already has three vessels and two aircraft and arguably its enforcement of fishery rules is more robust already. Similarly Wales has a number of small fishery protection vessels – the Isle of Man has a small single vessel.