Fishing for Yes welcomes new report detailing key gains of independence

Fishing for Yes welcomed the new Scottish Government report setting out five key gains for the industry with independence.

North-east skipper David Gatt and co-founder of if the pro-Yes group, 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.

Mr Gatt, whose boat Audacious  fishes for haddock,  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.’