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RICHARD LOCHEAD STATEMENT ON EU MACKEREL MEETING.
Commenting on a meeting that the Scottish and Norwegian pelagic fishing industry held on Tuesday with EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki in Brussels, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government and Scottish fishermen both agree that action must be taken by the European Commission protect the mackerel stock, which is being plundered recklessly and without rebuke by the Faroe Islands and Iceland.
“Following on from my meeting with Ms Damanaki earlier this month – where I raised many of the same concerns – I’m pleased that the Scottish industry have met with the Commissioner today.
“I am pushing the Commission hard for an early date for an International Ministerial Summit in a neutral country, which is crucial for moving the situation forward.
"However, if Iceland and the Faroes continue to irresponsibly overfish the mackerel stock then the Commission must put in place meaningful sanctions as soon as possible.”
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