Scotland's new fishing minister promised the industry they will have a voice in key decisions both at home and abroad during his first official engagement yesterday.
Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for the environment, told delegates at the Fish 2007 Exhibition in Glasgow that fishing would be a priority for the new SNP executive.
Mr Lochhead said he would be seeking the views of fishing sectors and giving the industry participation in talks.
Fishing industry leaders have complained that since devolution their interests have been slipping down the agenda as fishing is devolved, but the UK government negotiates quotas in the EU as a member state.
The new minister said Scotland will have a stronger voice and discussions were being sought to give Scotland the lead in EU negotiations.
Mr Lochhead said: "Under the SNP, fishing will be a priority. That will be a refreshing change and will be good for Scotland in the years ahead.
"Top of the list of priorities is a stronger voice in the negotiations. One of the key priorities is the industry will have a key role in government negotiating teams. I want the industry expertise to be at the heart of the negotiations. We want Scotland to lead the UK negotiations in Brussels."
During a question and answer session, fishermen asked the new minister whether there would be confrontation, if an SNP government was bad news for the industry south of the border and if there would be resistance to their plan to lead the UK negotiating team in the EU.
Mr Lochhead said he believed an SNP government, with fishing as a top priority, would push the issue back up the political agenda and would be good for the industry in the rest of the UK. He said the decision on appointing a minister to lead the delegation rested with Westminster and only they could answer if there would be resistance.
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said the fishing industry is now looking forward to the SNP's promising language being turned into action and the desired changes implemented.
He said: "We have been saying loud and clear to the former minister, Ross Finnie, and to Defra in England that we felt Scottish fishing seemed almost invisible."
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