WESTERN Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed news that 67 West Coast fishing boats could receive a much-needed boost after the European Commission acknowledged the argument that they should be exempt from days at sea restrictions.
Dr Allan commented: "I am encouraged at this news. Working with fishermen, the Scottish Government looks to have achieved an exemption from EU restrictions for boats that fish in the Minch and the Clyde and that catch little or no cod from days at s
ea limits.
"The Scottish Government has producing a sensible case, in conjunction with the industry, to get Western Isles boats out of a regime which is of no benefit to them whatsoever and upon which they do not impact.
"Fishing provides a livelihood for hundreds of people in the Western Isles and this move can only have a positive impact on the communities that depend on the viability of fishing boats to survive."
Meanwhile, Isles MP, Angus MacNeil also expressed optimism at the progress being made.
Mr MacNeil said: "Having raised the issue of West Coast Fishermen in the Commons only this week, I am pleased to see progress being made on the days at sea exemption for the Prawn sector and exclusion from the Cod recovery plan, as I asked for Prawn boats landing under 1.5% cod.
"I think this show the wisdom of holding this debate earlier in December, in time for the EU Norway talks rather than later when relatively small Norway has the entire EU fisheries policy fitted round its priorities"
