But the significance of the trail-blazing drive to aid cod recovery could not be overestimated against a background of Commission restructuring which would mean more fisheries responsibility being devolved to member states, Mike Park, the executive chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association told FISHupdate.com.

Mr Park said the discussions between the fishing industry and the Scottish Government over the terms of the new credits scheme were always going to be a completely new procedure.

He went on:“There are some interesting discussions going on and while we probably come to them with more of a commercial taint, we both want to come to commonsense conclusions.”

Mr Park said the basic aim of the scheme in his view was to cater for good practice.

“To me this is about recognising that the system in place in Europe has been too restrictive and has not responded to growth by the member states.”

And the credits scheme was in line with changes in the EU structure which would see issues applied on a more regional basis.

“In some ways, this is a toe in the water for Scotland but we have to create the best system that we can. This is about creating a structured system which, as I say reflects good practice.”

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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