UK Fisheries Delegation meets EU Maritime and Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki
A UK fisheries delegation today met with the new EU Maritime and Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
8 July 2010 | Full Details >>

Scottish fishermen underline their commitment to marine protection with launch of new Environmental
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of our seas and the sustainable harvesting of fish and shellfish by producing a new Environmental Policy Statement that underlines its core guiding principles for environmental responsibility.
6 July 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF meets EU Maritime and Fisheries Commissioner Damanaki
As part of a UK fishing industry delegation, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, will represent the interests of the catching sector of the Scottish industry in a meeting tomorrow (7 July) in Strasbourg with Mrs Maria Damanaki, the new EU Fisheries Commissioner.
6 July 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF meets with new UK fisheries minister Richard Benyon
Continuing the relationship launched before the general election, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation president Alan Coghill and chief executive Bertie Armstrong met with Richard Benyon, the new UK Fisheries Minister, on 1 July.
5 July 2010 | Full Details >>

Fishing cuts based on uncertain science would have dire consequences for Scottish fleet
With Scottish fishermen being briefed today (2 July) by Marine Scotland scientists on the latest advice from ICES .........
2 July 2010 | Full Details >>

Automatic fishing cuts based on ‘uncertain data’ would devastate Scottish fleet
Following the release of the latest scientific advice on the status of fish stocks, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is urging for the adoption of a commonsense approach to fisheries management next year and recognition given to the huge conservation efforts made by the Scottish fleet.
30 June 2010 | Full Details >>

Important issues up for discussion at EU Fisheries Council
Speaking ahead of today's (Tuesday 29June) European Fisheries Council meeting in Luxembourg, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said .......
30 June 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF outlines its key priorities for action
The Scottish Fishermen's Federation has underlined its key action priorities for fishing for the rest of this year and has vowed .........................
29 June 2010 | Full Details >>

New President for the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
Alan Coghill, the Secretary of the Orkney Fisheries Association (OFA), has been elected as the new President of the Scottish fishermen's Federation.
25 June 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF throws its full support behind Scottish Government move to challenge Faroese MSC accreditation f
The Scottish Fishermen's Federation has thrown its full support behind the Scottish Government's decision to challenge the Faroese application for Marine Stewardship Council ....
24 June 2010 | Full Details >>

Fishermen agree new Moray Firth Gear Code of Conduct
A new code of conduct for the Moray Firth has been agreed by fishermen from all sectors of the industry to prevent potential conflict amongst boats using different types of fishing gear.
14 June 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF comment on provisional fishing industry statistics for Scotland
Commenting on the provisional fishing industry statistics for Scotland published today, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said:
26 May 2010 | Full Details >>

Knowledge gap between science and catch information from fishing grounds must be closed, says SFF
Following the publication by the EC last week of how it plans to act upon scientific advice when proposing catch limits for 2011, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is urging the Commission to take greater account of catch data from fishermen so as to close the information gap.
26 May 2010 | Full Details >>

Environmental lobby must avoid hype and generalisation, says SFF after debate at Fishing 2010
Environmentalists must not fall into the trap of making sweeping generalistations about fisheries and the marine environment, said Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation ...
24 May 2010 | Full Details >>

New Funding
Responding to the announcement today (21 May) at the Fishing 2010 Exhibition in Glasgow ......
21 May 2010 | Full Details >>

Environmentalists must recognise efforts made by Scottish fleet to ensure sustainable harvesting of
The Scottish Fishermen's Federation will tell environmentalists at a seminar at the Fishing 2010 exhibition in Glasgow that due recognition should be given to the huge sacrifices and
19 May 2010 | Full Details >>

Government must place urgent effort into finding a radical new approach to fisheries management, say
With sections of the Scottish fishing fleet struggling to survive against a background of increasingly restricted fishing opportunity, .........
17 May 2010 | Full Details >>

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation lays down challenge to Government to take urgent action to save indu
The Scottish Fishermen Federation has issued a stark warning to the new incoming UK Government and the current Scottish Government that the very survival of the fishing industry is at stake unless urgent remedial action is taken – otherwise large sections of the fleet will be forced out of business.
10 May 2010 | Full Details >>

Regional control of fisheries is vital, SFF will tell CFP seminar
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation will today (Wednesday 28 April) tell a meeting in Brussels on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy that a regional approach to management is vital if the goals of effective and sustainable management combined with fleet profitability are achieved.
28 April 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF unveils manifesto for Scottish fishing for General Election 2010
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has unveiled its mini-manifesto for the forthcoming General Election, highlighting the main measures it would like the next Government to support.
6 April 2010 | Full Details >>

New appointments at Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association
Ian Gatt, the president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, will be joining the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association in early April as its new chief executive. He will replace Derek Duthie, who is moving to the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation to become its new director of administration & finance.
29 March 2010 | Full Details >>

Fishing must not be neglected in development of integrated maritime policy for North Sea
Bertie Armstrong, the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, will today (17 March) tell a major conference on the future management of marine resources in the North Sea that the primary and sustainable harvesting of seafood must be considered in balance with the activities of other stakeholders such a the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors.
17 March 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF praise for Tim Oliver who retires this week as editor of Fishing News
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has paid tribute to Fishing News editor Tim Oliver who retires today (12 March) after 23 years in charge of the UK’s most influential fishing publication.
12 March 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF welcomes EC statement highlighting importance of protecting local fisheries
Following the statement from European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki during today’s (25 February) debate in the European Parliament on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy that the protection of local fisheries will be a keystone of the new CFP, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:
25 February 2010 | Full Details >>

New fishing coalition launched to ensure protection of industry during implementation of MPAs
A new UK-wide fishing industry coalition to ensure that the interests of fishermen are fully taken into account during the consultation and designation process for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) was officially launched today (23 February) at the House of Commons, London.
23 February 2010 | Full Details >>

Leading EU fisheries negotiators meet Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
Chief EU fisheries negotiators John Spencer and Andrew Thomson met with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation last week to give their assessment of the outcome of complex negotiations at the end of 2009 and start of this year on fisheries management measures for stocks that are shared with countries outwith the EU such as Norway and the Faroes.
8 February 2010 | Full Details >>

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation response to Marine Bill backing
Commenting today (4 February) on the backing of the Marine Bill by the Scottish Parliament, Bertie Armstrong, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive, said:
5 February 2010 | Full Details >>

European Ombudsman victory for Clyde Fishermen raises question of EC capability to manage fishing in
The Clyde Fishermen’s Association has won its three-year battle with the European Commission over an administrative mistake on the number of days that West of Scotland fishing vessels could put to sea in 2007. The error by the EC resulted in the official sanction of a greater cut than there should have been in the number of days that West coast fishing vessels were allowed to fish in that year.
4 February 2010 | Full Details >>

UK fishermen unite in their condemnation of negative portrayal of fishing in TV programme
The UK’s two main UK fishermen’s federations have thrown their support behind an official complaint over a BBC programme that portrayed a totally inaccurate and damaging picture of the fishing industry.
1 February 2010 | Full Details >>

Fisheries deal finally reached between EU and Norway
Final agreement has been reached at the EU-Norway fisheries talks in Brussels after a marathon session of negotiations
27 January 2010 | Full Details >>

Positive signs that EU/Norway talks will reach agreement on key North Sea quotas
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is optimistic that agreement will finally be reached this week between the EU and Norway on key shared whitefish and pelagic stocks in the North Sea and North-east Atlantic.
18 January 2010 | Full Details >>

SFF welcomes supportive comments from WWF Scotland
Responding to WWF Scotland’s year-end assessment of Scotland's main whitefish stocks (embargoed until 00.01 Sunday 3 Jan. 2010), which included supportive comments on the leading role that Scotland is taking in ensuring a sustainable future and the need for sensible reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, Bertie Armstrong, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive, said:
5 January 2010 | Full Details >>

Decentralisation of CFP is vital for a sustainable future, says SFF
Responding to the release today (21 December) of the Scottish Government’s response to the European Commission’s Green Paper on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:
21 December 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF Services donates £120,000 to Scottish Fishermen’s Trust to help support worthwhile projects
SFF Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, is to donate £120,000 to the Scottish Fishermen’s Trust that will include support for projects to enhance fishing vessel safety.
17 December 2009 | Full Details >>

Challenges ahead for Scottish fleet as downward trend in quotas continues
The European Fisheries Council has reached a conclusion with Scottish fishermen making some gains but with reduced quotas in 2010 for many key species, which will present the industry with another set of severe challenges over the next 12 months.
16 December 2009 | Full Details >>

Annual round of EU fisheries negotiations – beginning of a different era
With the vital December Fisheries Council beginning this Monday (14 December) that will finalise the catching opportunities for the fleet in 2010, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is calling upon the EC to begin to place its trust in the fishing industry and Government to develop and implement locally controlled fisheries management measures.
11 December 2009 | Full Details >>

Breakdown in EU/Norway negotiations adds further uncertainty to prospects facing Scottish fleet
The third round of negotiations between the EU and Norway to set total allowable catches and other fisheries arrangements for shared stocks such as North Sea cod and haddock have broken down without agreement.
9 December 2009 | Full Details >>

Fisheries negotiations crucial to Scotland to continue
The annual rounds of talks to agree quotas for those fish stocks managed jointly by the European Union and Norway have stalled at the end of what should have been the final session. .....
7 December 2009 | Full Details >>

Decentralisation of CFP is vital, SFF will tell European Parliament Fisheries Committee
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation will tomorrow (1 December) in Brussels give evidence to the European Parliament Fisheries Committee as part of a public hearing on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
30 November 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF outlines priorities on eve of crucial fish talks
The second round of crucial talks between the EU and Norway will get under way tomorrow (1 December) that will set the total allowable catches (TACs) of key joint stocks including North Sea haddock, cod, whiting and herring.
30 November 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF anger at ‘lost opportunity’ following EC Fish Council decision to continue with draconian West c
The initially encouraging decision today (20 November) by the EC Fish Council not to rush through a new set of technical conservation rules for EU fishing vessels – by sending the worst of the proposed technical measures back to the drawing board - has been seriously damaged by the failure to create a sensible set of measures for the West coast.
23 November 2009 | Full Details >>

Exemplary fishing industry guard vessel safety performance is rewarded with charitable donation from
Petrofac Energy Development Ltd has donated £10,000 to the Scottish Fishermen’s Trust in recognition of the contribution made by SFF Services Ltd in ensuring the safe development of two of its North Sea oilfields.
19 November 2009 | Full Details >>

Government must work with industry to solve discards issue
Speaking ahead of a conference on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy that will be held in Edinburgh next week (3-4 November) when the issue of discards will be a key topic for discussion ..................
2 November 2009 | Full Details >>

Cuts in quota for 2010 part of a picture of devastation for parts of the Scottish fishing fleet
Responding to the official announcement today (16 October) by the European Commission of its proposals for total allowable catches for 2010, which show very severe quota cuts for the West of Scotland, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong, said:
16 October 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF calls for urgent review of new electronic mesh measuring device
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is calling for an urgent review into the new electronic Omega net measuring gauge after bitter complaints from skippers around the country that it is under-estimating the size of meshes.
12 October 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF states requirement for urgent industry/government discussions on CCTV as a fisheries control mea
Response by Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation in response to Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead's announcement that CCTV on fishing vessels could unlock more quota and fishing time.
9 October 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF states requirement for urgent industry/government discussions on CCTV as a fisheries control mea
Speaking in response to Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead's announcement that CCTV on fishing vessels could unlock more quota and fishing time, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation Chief Executive Bertie Armstrong said:
9 October 2009 | Full Details >>

Fishermen’s Federations to deliver stark message to UK fisheries ministers
At a joint meeting of UK fisheries ministers in Edinburgh tomorrow (7 October), the UK’s two principal fishermen’s organisations will deliver the stark warning that efforts must be stepped up to head-off devastating cuts proposed by the EC.
6 October 2009 | Full Details >>

Current fisheries management measures are failing to deliver, SFF President tells annual dinner
A continuation of the cod recovery plan in its current form and the imposition of further proposed cuts in West coast whitefish and prawn fisheries will cause real hardship for the Scottish fleet, Ian Gatt, president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, told guests at its annual dinner in Edinburgh on Thursday evening (October 1).
2 October 2009 | Full Details >>

Scottish industry’s leading role in sustainable fishing must be blueprint for the future
Responding to the outcome of today’s meeting (28 September) in Brussels between European Commissioner Joe Borg and Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead, Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:
29 September 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF response to interim report of the Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management
Response by the SFF to the interim report of the Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management:
21 September 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF welcomes debate on sustainable fishing and challenges Government to champion the cause
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation will tell Hilary Benn, the Secretary State of the Environment, at a breakfast event on sustainable fishing in London tomorrow (16 September) that the Government must recognise the huge steps the industry has taken to ensure a sustainable future for fishing.
15 September 2009 | Full Details >>

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation participates in BBC Landward programme on Scottish seafood industry
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has played a key role in a series of snapshot mini-features for the BBC tv Landward programme profiling the Scottish fishing industry.
9 September 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF responds to publishing of economic impact study on Scottish fishing
The release today of a new study on the impact of the economic downturn and conservation measures on the fishing industry highlights the need for urgent action, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has warned.
8 September 2009 | Full Details >>

SFF responds to EC Commissioner’s suggestion on scrapping quotas in favour of effort control
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, commenting on the suggestion today by EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg that annual catch limits (quotas) should be scrapped and replaced with an annual allowance of ‘days-at-sea’, said:
2 September 2009 | Full Details >>

New Fisheries Policy Officer for the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
Malcolm Morrison is the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation new Fisheries Policy Officer.
3 August 2009 | Full Details >>