Fishing in Aberdeenshire and Moray: Scotland being 'frozen out' of maritime discussions
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The Scottish Government claims it is being "frozen out" over talks about the future of the fishing industry and maritime security.
Humza Yousaf, the Justice Secretary, is complaining that the devolved governments have been omitted from the UK Government’s Ministerial EU Exit Operations Committee, where maritime issues are being discussed.
Mr Yousaf has called for an urgent four nation ministerial meeting on the issue.
He said: "While we remain opposed to leaving the EU and believe it is extremely reckless to rule out an extension to the Transition Period, as a responsible government we want to be as fully prepared for Brexit as possible, including working with the other UK Governments."
Scotland’s waters cover 62% of the UK’s domestic exclusive economic zone.
Marine and fisheries compliance is a fully devolved issue.
As such, Marine Scotland Compliance regularly inspects and patrols Scottish waters to ensure fisheries are sustainable and to provide protection for the marine environment.
Mr Yousaf said: "The Scottish Government has responsibility for many aspects of maritime security, in particular marine and fisheries protection.
"Given Scotland represents a large area of UK waters, we have extensive expertise to share.
"We have had a good working relation with the UK Government, but it is deeply concerning that devolved governments have now been frozen out of UK Ministers’ maritime Brexit discussions."
The Department for Transport co-ordinates the UK Government’s work on maritime security.
Mr Yousaf says he has written to the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps calling for an urgent four nation ministerial meeting.
He said: "This is more than just another example of UK Ministers seeking to undermine devolution and respect for devolved competencies.
"It compromises our ability to protect Scottish interests and seriously hampers the UK’s Brexit preparations on this critical matter."
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