ISLAND politicians SNP MSP Alasdair Allan and MP Angus MacNeil met with islands fishermen at the weekend in the wake of measures by the Scottish Government to address deep concerns about the price of fuel amongst Scottish fishermen.
They attended the Annual General Meeting of the Western Isles Fishermen's Association in Lochmaddy, North Uist.
Mr Allan commented: "The meeting was, significantly, addressed by Scottish Government officials in recognition of the pressing con
cerns which fishermen have at the moment.
"The discussion covered areas as varied as the Scottish Government's plans to restrict the transfer of licences outwith Scotland and the ongoing need to promote the Hebrides as a distinctive brand.
"This meeting also occurred the day after the Scottish Government pledged a £29 million funding package to help deliver a sustainable and profitable Scottish fishing industry that can adapt to high fuel costs," said Mr Allan.
"There was also a discussion about the Scottish Government's consultation on a Marine Bill, but above all else there was, quite rightly, continuing dissatisfaction with the price of marine diesel. There is no doubt that unless the UK Government listen on this issue and agree to provide support, fishermen will continue to feel the severe effects of rising fuel costs," added Mr Allan.
Earlier, Angus MacNeil welcomed the Scottish Government announcement of the three year plan to help the fishing industry in Scotland.
Resources totalling £29 million will be made available to implement the plan. Included in this are a range of measures that will cut fishing boats' fuel consumption and costs.
Mr MacNeil said: "The fishing industry, along with many others, has been hit hard with the huge increase in fuel prices over the past 12 months. With this in mind, the Scottish Government have put in place a number of measures which will help the industry.
"For the past few months with the weekly increases in fuel prices, boat owners having been paying half of their earnings on fuel – something which is not sustainable in the long term.
"It is disappointing that the Labour Government in London have not given any support to the fisherman. Given that the duty paid on fuel in the UK is a huge factor in the high prices at the pumps."
He added "Many communities like the Western Isles rely on the fishing industry, and the funding announcement will go a long way to ensure that this will be the case for many years to come."
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