Anstruther Town Hall will tonight host the first of a series of meetings being held in fishing communities across Scotland to discuss the future well-being of coastal communities and how best to look after inshore fisheries.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said:

"In recent years, largely through the efforts of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG), some good work has been done to introduce a system that delegates responsibility to fishermen and others involved in the industry.

"However, I know that progress has not always been as fast or as straightforward as we would have liked.

"I would like to know why this has been the case, how best we can meet the expectations of all stakeholders and put in place a management system that really can deliver our shared goal of profitable and sustainable inshore fisheries.

"During the meetings, my officials will seek the views of all those with an interest in the future well being of our fishing communities on how to refine and develop Inshore Fisheries Groups."

Meetings will take place:

9 July 7pm Anstruther Town Hall, Fife

11 July 7pm Ullapool Village Hall, Wester Ross

19 July 7pm North Atlantic Fisheries College, Shetland

24 July 7pm Royal Hotel,Kirkcudbright

26 July 7pm Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall

31 July 7pm Dark Island Hotel, Benbecula

Further meetings are being arranged in Inverness, Buckie, Aberdeen, Oban and the Clyde. Details will be published when arrangements have been finalised.

Those unable to attend the meetings can send written submissions to the Inshore Team at Scottish Executive, Room 506, Pentland House, Edinburgh EH14 1TY, or by e-mail to inshorefisheries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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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