Commenting on the new Commissioner-elect, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the SFF, said: “The over-arching criticism of the outgoing Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, was that she often imposed policy without due consideration of the negative impact on our coastal fishing communities – the forthcoming discards ban being a classic example.
“It is essential that the Mr Vella adopts a different and much more inclusive approach that listens to our concerns so that policy can be shaped that ensures a viable future for Scottish fishing. As things stand at the moment, the discards ban has the potential to devastate our industry and it is essential that Mr Vella takes these real fears on board and works with us to develop a practicable regime.”
