Call for EU fisheries overhaul

An overhaul of the policy is being recommended

A high-powered Scottish Parliament committee is recommending that fishermen rather than politicians should have control over the waters they fish.

The European committee has published a report calling for a radical overhaul of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The policy is currently under review by the European Commission.

The fisheries policy is under review

The cross-party group of MSPs on the European committee do not think it is working - and say it should be radically overhauled to safeguard both fish stocks and the industry itself.

They are calling for decisions on fishing rights to be made by fishermen, scientists and conservationists rather than the politicians.

They argue that it would be better if the industry took direct control of quotas, in consultation with colleagues from other countries with access to the same waters.

The committee also acknowledges that the European fleet will need to be cut to ensure a future for the fishing industry.

And it is asking the Scottish Executive to start the search now for new jobs for those who have chosen to give up their work at sea.