Ross Finnie Responses To Questions On Rsa Representation

[Guest NickInTheNorth]

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the recreational sea angling sector is not represented on the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

 

(S2W-19647)

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) deals primarily with matters relating to the commercial fishing sector. A key part of the group’s current work is the on-going implementation of the Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland. The framework introduces a number of changes to inshore fisheries management, including significantly increased opportunities for all relevant stakeholders to play a greater role in the development and management of inshore fisheries. Reflecting these changes, a review of the structure and function of SIFAG is scheduled to take place in spring 2006. Applications for membership will be considered then.

 

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will appoint a representative of the recreational sea angling sector to the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

 

(S2W-19648)

Ross Finnie: The Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland introduces significant changes to the management, organisation and development of inshore fisheries. Implementation of the framework is on-going and progressing well. Part of this process will involve review of the structure and function of the ScottishInshore Fisheries Advisory Group. That review is scheduled to take place in spring 2006 and applications for membership will be considered then.

[pestguard1]

[tack4]

do we bombard him weekly until then with requests for representation then and keep on at our MSP's in the same light

have had +ve responses from my local MSP an MP on recreational representation and conservation issues

[Barry Scholes]

The response sounds familiar, "will be considered in the future"

WHY NOT NOW?

 

The SFSA are pressing for a meeting with Mr Finnie as soon as possible, we will not let another chance for RSA to be represented slip by us.

 

Barry Scholes

SFSA PRO

[dale]

sorry to say this but that is exactly the reply i expected and told you would get.

 

his seat is dependant on being in league with the commercial sector so he looking after his own arse first.

[Ian Burrett]

The response sounds familiar, "will be considered in the future"

WHY NOT NOW?

 

The SFSA are pressing for a meeting with Mr Finnie as soon as possible, we will not let another chance for RSA to be represented slip by us.

 

Barry Scholes

SFSA PRO

 

A dissapointing yet not unexpected answer. We need to decide where we go from here.

 

We ought to remind Mr Finnie he is not adhering to the SIFAG objectives

 

 

SIFAG has developed the following high level objectives for inshore fisheries:

BIOLOGICAL: to conserve, enhance and restore commercial stocks in the inshore and its dependent ecosystem;

ECONOMIC: to optimise long term and sustained economic return to communities dependent on inshore fisheries, and to promote quality initiatives;

ENVIRONMENTAL: to maintain and restore the quality of the inshore marine environment for fisheries and for wildlife;

SOCIAL: to recognise historical fishing practices and traditional ways of life in managing inshore fisheries, to manage change, and to interact pro actively with other activities in the marine environment;

GOVERNANCE: to develop and implement a transparent, accountable and flexible management structure , places fishermen at the centre of the decision-making process and that is underpinned by adequate information and appropriate enforcement.

[Ian Burrett]

sorry to say this but that is exactly the reply i expected and told you would get.

 

his seat is dependant on being in league with the commercial sector so he looking after his own arse first.

 

So what do we do Dale. Just give up?

[dale]

raise funds.

hire a lawyer.

challenge his position.

[Barry Scholes]

If we take Dales approach we would waste several years and end up pursuing an individual without achieving our goal.

 

I think it would be better to increase the pressure on Mr Finnie by having his colleagues in Holyrood raise the questions time and time again. This would effectively challange his position, this would be more effective as he would be forced to answer publicly.

 

This means we need to press our local parlimentarians on the issue, and have them act on our behalf (after all that is what they are there for).

 

If every angler who cares about our fish stocks does this, Mr Finnie will get the message.

 

Fish For The Future!

Barry

[Guest NickInTheNorth]

Unfortunately Dale that is the way of politics. What we need to do is convince the Scottish Executive, MSP's, and politicians in general that "we" anglers also count. That we are voters, and can probably cast more votes than can the commercial sector.

 

It is however a long slow process. We need to keep asking questions. I think that Mr Finnies answers above ask some very interesting questions, which will be getting asked soon. Questions that other LibDem politicians might be interested in as his response seems to be a contradiction of that taken by the LibDems in Europe.

 

I am hoping that a major Scottish media entity may take the argument up on our behalf. Early conversations are quite encouraging.

 

Rest assured that doing nothing is not an option. But unfortunately politics is a slow game. But it's a game we need to play.