A Yes vote in September’s independence referendum will mean that Scotland’s vital fishing industry will thrive - not just survive.

That was one of the key messages delivered today as Fishing for Yes became the latest campaign group to join the growing Yes movement - with 50 days of the independence campaign to go.

North-east skipper David Gatt and co-founder of Fishing for Yes said: ‘Independence is undoubtedly the right way forward for all of Scotland, but for our fishing industry a Yes vote is not only desirable, it is an absolute necessity.

Speaking at the official launch of the group at Peterhead harbour, Mr Gatt, whose boat Audacious  fishes for haddock and has been decked out in Yes Scotland flags and motifs, added: ‘The fishing industry in Scotland needs greater influence, better representation, a fairer deal in funding, and quota protection and this will only happen if we vote Yes in September.

‘Our fishing fleet and our fishing communities have suffered the most under the Westminster system but by taking control of our own future we have much to gain. A Yes vote will promote the Scottish fishing industry from the sidelines to centre stage and give us the voice we richly deserve at Europe’s top table.’

The Fraserburgh-based skipper added: ‘Scotland is already one of the EU’s leading fishing nations and our waters account for at least a fifth of Europe’s entire catch. As an independent Member State we will have a much bigger say and influence on the issues that matter most to the industry. For example, it will bring an end to the idiocy of landlocked European countries such as Slovakia, Austria and Luxembourg, having more influence on EU fisheries policy than Scotland has at the moment.’

Skippers, crew members, suppliers and retailers were joined by politicians to officially launch Fishing for Yes on the quayside at Peterhead, one of Europe’s premier fishing ports.

Every corner of Scotland is represented in Fishing for Yes. Among the 50 or so who have signed up are:-

Eyemouth-based James Cook, one of the country’s leading fish and seafood suppliers, said: ‘I am certain  a Yes vote is best for our industry, Our industry is very well supported by the Scottish Government and I have no doubt its future will be secure in an independent Scotland.'

Former Peterhead skipper John D. Buchan, who has been involved in the fishing industry for 40 years, said: ‘I reluctantly made the decision to leave the industry after successive Westminster governments negotiated increasingly poor fishing opportunities for Scotland. I have no doubt that if Scotland had had its own representation at the top tables in Europe, then I and a great many more fishermen would still be in the industry today. A Scottish government representing Scottish fishermen will always get the best deal for Scotland.’
 
Peterhead white fish skipper Brian Buchan, owner of The Lapwing, said: 'With a Yes vote we'll have a government willing to put up a fight for the fishing industry - not one 600 miles away which shows no interest whatsoever in fishing.'

Murdo Kennedy, a crab, lobster and prawn skipper from Lewis, said: ‘For the Western Isles it can only be good to have decisions made closer to home. We need more local management of our resources and I think our fishing industry would benefit from having a government that understands and cares about the sector.’
 
Girvan harbour-master Roddy Leitch said: ‘Our fishing towns and villages have suffered the consequences of Westminster's neglect. With a Yes vote we'll have the power to stand up for our interests in Europe and better support our fishing communities.’

Fishing for Yes is building its campaign on five key gains of Yes:

·         Fishing will be a national priority

·         Direct representation in the European Union and ability to negotiate our priorities            without compromise

·         Protection of Scotland’s fishing quotas

·         Fairer share of EU Fisheries budget

·         Ensure Scotland’s fishing levies promote Scottish seafood

John Gold, manager of Frankie's Fish and Chips in Shetland, winner of 2014 Best Fish and Chip Shop in Scotland, said: 'Shetland relies on a thriving fishing industry but for decades the UK Government has made all the wrong decisions for our fishing communities. 
 
'Where has the fishing industry been on Westminster's radar? I believe the industry will have a better chance of influencing our own Scottish Government than a Westminster system that simply isn't interested.'
 
Peter McCann, of Scottish Seafood Exports based in Inverness, said: 'We export Scotland's quality produce, from salmon to razor clams, all over the world and it is second to none. But as part of the UK the Scottish brand is being diluted. With a Yes vote we'll be able to open up new markets and promote Brand Scotland to new countries.'
 
Welcoming the launch of Fishing for Yes, Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment and Moray MSP, said: ‘Fishing is a priority in Scotland - but not at Westminster. Currently, the UK does not allow Scottish Ministers to speak at the top table yet we have nearly 70% of the UK industry.
 
'The reality is that fishing is much more important to Scotland than the rest of the UK. We would never use our fisheries as a bargaining chip in wider negotiations as the UK Government currently does. We are already at the centre of Europe’s complex fisheries management with vessels from 12 different countries fishing in our waters and independence will bring greater influence on the decision-making process.

‘At present Scotland receives only 1.4 per cent of the European Fisheries Fund. With independence we will be able to negotiate a much bigger share of European fisheries budgets to help our fishermen and the wider industry. The UK Government has sought to reduce the size of these funds. However if they had negotiated as well as Denmark the EFF programme would have been worth €64 million more to Scotland. We cannot continue to lose out on these important funds. Independence will allow Scotland’s fishing industry secure these funds.

‘The bottom line is fishing is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. It is inconceivable that any Scottish administration would ever describe Scotland’s fishing industry as "expendable" as the Westminster Government infamously did.

‘A vote for independence will mean that we can stop our quota being sold outside Scotland to protect our future generations. With independence Scottish fisheries will thrive rather than just survive.’

MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford, whose Banff and Buchan constituency covers many fishing communities, said: 'The way in which successive Westminster governments have managed the CFP for Scotland's fishing communities has been a disaster. We know that in the context of Europe, Westminster views the Scottish fishing "expendable". With a Yes vote this year we can prioritise the needs of the Scottish fishing industry.
 
‘Our fishermen need a voice at the top table in Europe. Despite two thirds of the UK industry being based in Scotland, Scottish Ministers have not been allowed to speak in Europe, even on occasions where the interest is almost exclusively Scottish. This means that Scotland's representatives - who are closest to the needs of the Scottish fishing sector - are not able to ensure that their voice is properly heard.
 
‘Only independence can safeguard the future of Scotland's fishing communities and seafood sectors and prevent our fishing quotas - the industry's lifeblood - from being transferred outside Scotland or being top-sliced by the Westminster Government.’