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Tory Brexit white paper, are they selling out our fisheries (again)?


Capeesh
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I've just read the UK government Brexit white paper, this paragraph should be of particular interest for those who voted to leave the EU in order to prevent EU fishermen fishing in our waters.

 

"8.16 In 2015, EU vessels caught 683,000 tonnes (£484 million revenue) in UK waters and UK vessels caught 111,000 tonnes (£114 million revenue) in Member States’ waters. Given the heavy reliance on UK waters of the EU fishing industry and the importance of EU waters to the UK, it is in both our interests to reach a mutually beneficial deal that works for the UK and the EU’s fishing communities. Following EU exit, we will want to ensure a sustainable and profitable seafood sector and deliver a cleaner, healthier and more productive marine environment."

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^ That article, like everthing else thats exits a politician's mouth, is so much waffle that says nothing definite one way or another, and can and no doubt will be punted as meaning whatever each individual wants it to mean to suit their own agenda.

 

"importance of EU waters to the UK" - I wasn't aware they were, unless perhaps Irish ones, and I can't see them finding staying in the EU viable for very long once we're out.

"mutually beneficial deal that works for the UK and the EU’s fishing" - "mutually beneficial" We catch it, they buy it off us. We let them come in and scoop up as much as they like wherever they like whenever they like however they like in trade for something of theirs. Both are "mutually beneficial" but polar opposites.

"a sustainable and profitable seafood sector and deliver a cleaner, healthier and more productive marine environment" - For whom, where?

aaaw

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Personally, if the fishing grounds are on the table, I think that the is a good chance of a sellout...

 

As far as I am concerned, we should increase our fleet size, catch the fish ourselves and, sell it to the highest bidder..  Extra jobs and extra revenue because the whole world needs food.  Simple economics really.

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^ Nobody and nothing is important to any government until and unless they/it make themselves important to a government. Governments prefer the easy life, and tend not to go out of their way to do anyone apart from themselves any favours unless they can see it paying them back manyfold.

 

Its down to the industry to make themselves important to the Government, preferably by winning public support on to their side as backup. Sitting waiting and hoping the Government will "do the right thing" by them is pointless, as thats what every other business enterprise from a one man band to multi nationals default to expecting too. its only those who shout loudest and make the biggest arses of themselves in Whitehall that will get results, as always.

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^^^If the result of the leave vote is the continuation of EU boats fishing in UK waters as the Tory Brexit white paper suggest here..

"...it is in both our interests to reach a mutually beneficial deal that works for the UK and the EU’s fishing communities..."

..it looks very like we've been sold a pup.

Edited by Capeesh
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Well, if the noises(?) coming out of Europe are any kind of an indication of how "painful" brexit will be made, then they should be told to "go and find somewhere else to fish".

 

Everything is negotiable.  Trouble is I wouldn't trust a politician to negotiate(?) anything that would be remotely in Shetland's favour.

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Even the possibility of some neeps in London trading away our fishing rights (again) is a perfect example of how Shetlands needs do not tie in with those of the rest of the country.

 

To protect the long term future of these isles we need some form of autonomy so that we can look after our own interests.

 

Orkney Islands Council have started investigating the possibility for themselves, we should follow suit. 

 

There is a strong case to make that we have the resources to fully support ourselves. Given freedom to create our own laws and constitution we could potentially create a much fairer society than the divided, elitist, corrupt shambles that the UK has become. 

 

So true, and the sooner the better!!!

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  • 2 months later...

Could be said that much of our local fishing industry has already been passed on to "others",without any interference from politicians.

 

How many Salmon farms belong to Shetlanders!

 

Shetland Catch is more or less Norwegian if I'm correct. 

 

How much white fish is processed here in Shetland --is most of it not landed, marketed and then shipped out for processing.

 

That is only part of the story I'm sure but enough to make many,myself included wonder if our fishing industry means as much to us as we would like folk think.

 

How many folk want to work in the fishing sector now ! Is this not seen as a dirty,smelly and unpleasant job.  

Edited by Urabug
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