Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead today promised a three-year plan to achieve a sustainable and profitable fishing industry that has adapted to high fuel costs and is fit for the 21st century.

Fish Update 29/07/2008

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He stated; 'I have always made clear that the plan will be developed in partnership with fishermen and the Fuel Task Force will meet in early August to discuss how new measures agreed by the EU should be implemented in Scotland.

'At this stage the detailed financial aspects of the EU measures are still to be decided but the Scottish Government has pledged to make resources available.

'However the total scope and nature of the three-year plan is dependent on securing additional aid from the UK Government and Europe. The European Commission has indicated that additional funding may be found; it would be indefensible for the UK Government not to support this proposed allocation of European funds to support fishermen.'

John Swinney has recently written to the Treasury urging any allocation of European funds to support fishermen is backed by the UK Government and that Scotland benefits from any such allocation.

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