The Scottish farmed salmon industry has warned Boris Johnson to “step back” from a trade war with Europe over the Northern Ireland protocol.
01.05.2022 - 07:01 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Furious fishermen have accused the Scottish Government of devastating their historic Firth of Clyde industry with a “senseless” ban.
Boats in the area support more than 600 jobs – many of which are in small family businesses keeping the way of life alive for remote communities.
But fishermen were left shocked when ministers implemented an 11-week ban in February, leaving them unable to earn a living.
The move is designed to encourage the resurgence of cod stocks – but previous restrictions allowed vessels which didn’t interfere with their habitat to continue working.
Government documents suggest the new total ban – which is to be applied in 2023 as well – was prompted by the SNP’s coalition with the Greens at Holyrood.
They state: “The annual closure of the spawning ground has previously included exemptions to allow nephrops trawlers, creels and scallop dredgers to continue to use the area, due to the low numbers of cod that they catch.
“We have decided to remove these exemptions to provide a higher chance of recovery for cod.
“This change aligns with the commitments in the policy programme of the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens.”
In the past many fishermen, including traditional creelers working from small boats to catch lobsters and crabs in pots – one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of fishing in the world – were allowed to continue their trade.
There were also exemptions for some of those targeting langoustine.
One operator from Campbeltown, Argyll, whose family have been fishing for generations, has told the Sunday Mail he may now have to sell his boat if the 2023 ban goes ahead.
Kenny Campbell said: “This could spell the end for me and many others.”
The Scottish farmed salmon industry has warned Boris Johnson to “step back” from a trade war with Europe over the Northern Ireland protocol.
Labour council groups will have the “flexibility” to strike deals with other parties - despite a coalition ban trumpeted during the election campaign.
Hollywood star Karen Gillan and fellow actor Nick Kocher, 36, tied the knot in a fantasy-like secret wedding over the weekend. Surrounded by the ideal bricks of Castle Toward in Scotland, the 34 year old Jumanji actress exchanged vows with her groom just weeks after their comedy film, The Bubble, aired on the streaming channel Netflix.They were joined by a flurry of Hollywood's finest throughout the sun-kissed afternoon including Julia Roberts and Robert Downey Jr, who arrived ashore at the harbour next to the castle from the Spirit of Fortitude luxury cruiser.
A metals firm that was handed a £586million Scottish Government support package to buy a Highland smelter is facing a court bankruptcy fight.
Robbie Neilson is hopeful Hearts top scorer Liam Boyce will overcome an injury scare in time to face Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final.
A dedicated team of naturalists from West Lothian are celebrating evolving from a WhatsApp group into a registered Scottish charity.
SNP ministers have been called on to use an underspend to pay compensation to miners wronged during the bitter strike of the 1980s.
A new Scottish independence poll has shown that less than a third of people want another referendum before the end of 2023.
Douglas Ross’ position as Scottish Tory leader is under threat after his party was hammered at the local council elections.
The SNP has come out as the biggest party at the Scottish council elections.
Scottish Labour is set to become the main challenger to Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP in future elections after Conservative support plunged to its worst Scottish showing a decade.
Aldi has once again been a huge hit with shoppers looking for budget priced 'dupes' for less.
Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross will be responsible for any election drubbing at today’s council election, according to a senior party figure.
Scotland is a land with a deep history of Viking raids, clan fighting and invasions by English kings meaning that it has been no stranger to warfare down through the ages.
With millions of people around the world identifying as Scots – either by dint of being born here or by their blood or even just a love for the culture – Scottish names are once again in vogue.
She was one of the most famous faces in Hollywood known as the "blonde bombshell".
Malcolm Connolly was personal security to Johnny Depp for around 23 years and has just given his testimony during the star's $50 million libel trial with ex wife Amber Heard.
This summer’s Scottish Game Fair festival is expected to give the local economy a £5 million boost as visitors fill surrounding hotels and restaurants.