In brief for 9 September 2011
Mackerel fishing
IAN GATT of the Scottish pelagic industry has said that he expects news on the shape and form of EU sanctions against Iceland and Faroe Islands in the next few weeks.
Mr Gatt’s comments came after yet another meeting between the government and the Scottish pelagic industry discussed the “ongoing situation of serious overfishing of mackerel by Iceland and the Faroes”.
For 2011, the Faroe Islands have set themselves a quota of 150,000 tonnes, while Iceland is determined to catch 147,000 tonnes.
“The current overfishing of valuable mackerel by Iceland and the Faroes outwith any international management plan is completely unacceptable and a practicable resolution must be achieved.
“It is essential that sanctions are meaningful and are introduced as soon as possible,” Mr Gatt said.
Northern isles ferry contract
THE TWO LibDem MSPs for the northern isles, Tavish Scott and Liam McArthur have added their voices to concern over delays in getting the tendering process for the Shetland and Orkney lifeline ferry contract under way.
Earlier this week, current operator NorthLink said they had stopped marketing the isles to tour operators wishing to visit in 2013 because no specifications for the service after summer 2012 had been made available to them.
Mr Scott said: “The Scottish government are damaging the island’s economy. I warned ministers months ago that they had set a ridiculously tight timescale to have a ferry operator confirmed for next summer.
“Now, because of the Scottish government’s incompetence, Shetland’s tourist industry is being damaged. This is unacceptable and I will be raising it with ministers in parliament.”
Mr McArthur added: “The process that led to the decision by SNP ministers to ‘unbundle’ the northern isles routes has been nothing short of shambolic.
“We are now seeing the first signs of the potential damage this approach could cause. Even at this late stage, I would urge the Scottish government to rethink its approach, re-engage with the local councils and other stakeholders and ensure that the next ferry contract properly meets the needs of those it is there to serve.”
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Single police force
NORTHERN Constabulary chief constable George Graham has reacted to the Scottish government’s announcement that the country’s eight police forces will be merged into one.
The chief constable said: “Whilst a single Scottish Police force was not the preferred model of many stakeholders, the Scottish Government has chosen this structure as the way forward.
“Now that a decision has been made, we must accept that decision, welcome the clarity it brings and move forward, embracing the opportunities together with the inevitable challenges.
“The implementation is likely to take a significant number of years and resources to complete.
“My priority in the meantime, is to ensure that the high quality policing service we provide in the Highlands and Islands is maintained, that our successful community policing style is continued and that the partnerships we have, are sustained and strengthened in any new structure.”.
Fishing tackle
POLICE in Shetland are keen to reunite a rucksack with fishing equipment with its owner after it was found at the Laxo Burn, near to Vidlin during the early afternoon of Thursday.
The fishing tackle can be reclaimed at the Lerwick police station, telephone 01595 69 2110.
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