News / Coghill to head SFF
THE SECRETARY of the Orkney Fisheries Association (OFA), Alan Coghill, has been elected as the new president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF).
Mr Coghill was elected at a meeting of the organisation’s executive committee in Lerwick on Thursday.
Mr Coghill has been secretary of the OFA for the last 15 years and has played a key role in representing the interests of fishermen in Orkney and the rest of Scotland.
He pledged to do everything in his power to ensure that all sectors of the industry would get a fair deal in “this increasingly difficult time for fishing”.
He added: “There are many challenges ahead, including threats from Iceland and the Faroes to increase their mackerel quotas, and the continuing difficulties for the whitefish and prawn sectors in terms of effort control and other restrictions.
“These are all issues that must be resolved to ensure that fishing has a sustainable and profitable future.”
Mr Coghill replaces Ian Gatt, who decided to step down from the post following his recent appointment as chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association.
SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “Alan has proved an excellent representative for the fishing industry and his appointment as president will ensure that the interests of all fishermen will continue to be well served.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Ian Gatt who has been a superb president for the federation and who has won plaudits from throughout the industry for his hard work in promoting its interests.
“Ian was always acutely aware of the importance of serving the needs of every sector of the industry and this was much appreciated by all fishermen.”
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