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'Vital' fishing talks under way 'Vital' fishing talks under way
(about 11 hours later)
Lengthy annual European talks which are "vital" to the future of the Scottish fishing fleet are getting under way.Lengthy annual European talks which are "vital" to the future of the Scottish fishing fleet are getting under way.
The EU Fisheries Council in Brussels follows talks between the EU and Norway breaking down last week.The EU Fisheries Council in Brussels follows talks between the EU and Norway breaking down last week.
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Our priority is to find the right balance between conserving stocks and supporting the industry."Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Our priority is to find the right balance between conserving stocks and supporting the industry."
And Scottish Fishermen's Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong agreed balance was needed in difficult times. Scottish Fishermen's Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong agreed balance was needed in difficult times.
Achieving the right result for the Scottish industry is much more important than bowing to time pressure that will inevitably result in a set of totally unsatisfactory measures Bertie ArmstrongScottish Fishermen's Federation chief executive
Mr Lochhead said: "Once again we head into these talks determined to strike the best deal for our fishermen and our seas.Mr Lochhead said: "Once again we head into these talks determined to strike the best deal for our fishermen and our seas.
"This Council promises another extremely tough round of negotiations set against a very challenging economic backdrop. I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel Michael BuchanSkipper of Sustain
"This council promises another extremely tough round of negotiations set against a very challenging economic backdrop.
"They also present an additional challenge as last week's failure to conclude the EU Norway talks means many quotas will not be finalised until those talks resume in the new year.""They also present an additional challenge as last week's failure to conclude the EU Norway talks means many quotas will not be finalised until those talks resume in the new year."
The SFF's Mr Armstrong said: "Achieving the right result for the Scottish industry is much more important than bowing to time pressure that will inevitably result in a set of totally unsatisfactory measures.The SFF's Mr Armstrong said: "Achieving the right result for the Scottish industry is much more important than bowing to time pressure that will inevitably result in a set of totally unsatisfactory measures.
"This year's December Council will mark the start of a new way of doing business. It is vital that the Scottish and UK governments achieve a balanced deal in these difficult circumstances.""This year's December Council will mark the start of a new way of doing business. It is vital that the Scottish and UK governments achieve a balanced deal in these difficult circumstances."
Michael Buchan, skipper of the Peterhead registered Sustain, told BBC Scotland: "I have been a skipper for 21 years now and every year there has been a cut in quotas or a cut in effort.
"I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel."