Fishermen take Scottish Government to court over way inshore waters are managed

Frustrated fishermen are taking the Scottish Government to court in a dispute over fishing zones.

The Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation (SCFF) is seeking a judicial review of a government decision affecting fishing interests in the Skye Inner Sound, according to INews.

The action by SCFF is being taken on behalf of one of its members, the North West Responsible Fishermen’s Association. It would like a pilot scheme of separate fishing zones in the Sound for prawn trawlers and creelers.

Creel fishing is a ‘static’ form of fishing for prawns, lobster and crabs, where baited metal cages (creels) are dropped to the seabed and retrieved later. Creel fishermen have claimed trawling is decimating the fish population and creel fishing has less of an environmental impact.

But after a public consultation, government agency, Marine Scotland, rejected the idea of trialling separate fishing zones. Now SCFF wants a judicial review of the decision “after years of frustration” dealing with the government and its agencies.

SCFF national co-ordinator, Alistair Sinclair, told The National: “Our marine environment continues to be failed by civil servants.

“This legal challenge highlights an important concern about the way our inshore fisheries are managed by Marine Scotland, and an apparent gap between policy and practice.

“Our inshore fisheries are of particular ecological value as well as being of huge economic significance to coastal communities.”

The Scottish Government confirmed judicial review proceedings had been lodged.

Creel boats make up 74 per cent of Scotland’s inshore commercial fishing fleet and generated around £38.1 million for the Scottish economy in 2012, according to the SCFF.

The federation represents 10 fishermen’s associations from around the Scottish coast with more than 1,000 boats.

Large prawns are one of the most valuable catches, mostly sold to the European market.