Protest flares at EU fish rules

Published on Sunday 1 February 2004 00:00

FISHERMEN yesterday lit up a Scots harbour with distress flares to symbolise the position they say they have been left in by the latest restrictions imposed by Europe.

Fishing leaders have already decided to flout the new rules, which come into effect today and only allow them 15 days at sea a month.

They believe the only way the industry can survive is if they break the law and fish for 22 days each month.

And yesterday, crowds of people who rely on fishing to make a living gathered at the north-east port of Fraserburgh to protest against the new restrictions.

Carol Macdonald, the leader of the Cod Crusaders who organised the demonstration, said: "Our men are being forced to break the law to make a living and that is simply not fair."

"What other industry has to take such drastic measures? From now on Scottish fishermen are going to have to do this and something has to be done."

Yesterday two Fraserburgh-registered vessels, the Falcon and the Phoenix, left the harbour to begin their latest trips in which they will flout legislation made by the European Commission.

As they left the Buchan port the vessels broke through a chain marked "restricted area zone" to indicate what they will be doing.