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European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/359)
Agenda item 2 is consideration of a Scottish statutory instrument—the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/359)—that is subject to negative procedure. I refer members to the relevant paper. Do members have any questions or comments?
I simply want to record the fact that I am very pleased that the fund is being rationalised, that it will support our coastal communities, which are often very fragile, into the future, and that it will provide the fishing industry, including the onshore industry, with support if it is needed in any transition process.
I would like to put on record the fact that there could have been a lot more of the fund if Scotland’s interests had been taken care of by the United Kingdom Government. Our fishing communities catch more than 70 per cent of Britain’s total catch; if they were better supported, that would benefit many of the coastal communities that Claudia Beamish mentioned.
As members have no other comments, does the committee agree that it does not wish to make any recommendations on the regulations?
Members indicated agreement.