Statement on Fishing Policy
The fishing industry is an essential part of the British economy, particularly in Scotland. It is a vital source of food and provides jobs for thousands of people both at sea and on shore, often in small communities that rely totally on fishing for their livelihood. The Conservative Party is committed to defending to the full the interests of British fishermen, and restoring stability and optimism to its future.
Despite this Government's boasts, they did not renegotiate the fisheries policy at all before recommending a ‘Yes’ vote in the 1975 European Referendum.
This matter is now urgent because of the time limit of 1982 set down for reaching agreements. However, in spite of that time limit we should not be prepared to agree to terms which were disadvantageous to our fishing industries.
We shall make fishing top priority in our EEC negotiations.
The proposals we have so far received from the EEC have been totally unacceptable. Our European partners must accept three fundamental facts.
— That the move to 200 miles limit since we joined the Community has changed both the entire international situation and our own circumstances.
— that our waters contain more fish than the rest of the Community put together [end p1] — we must have an agreement to a comprehensive policy on conservation. This should include:- (i) a limit on the total allowable catch. (ii) a clear set of rules to control the amount of fishing and the methods used. (iii) recognition that the coastal state must have sole responsibility for control over their waters, since they alone have the knowledge, the capability and will to enforce conservation rules. (iv) conservation rules which are enforced against fishermen from all nations and not just against British fishermen alone. (v) measures which are specially designed to protect the rights of in-shore fishermen.
In addition our negotiating aims will be for:- 1. an adequate exclusive zone. 2. a further considerable area of preferential access. 3. a control system which enables us to police our own waters. 4. Britain must have a very substantial share of the total allowable catch which takes account of the fact that we are contributing most of the water and most of the fish.
Further conservation measures will be taken by Britain acting on her own if we cannot get agreement upon these points.
Fishermen will find a true and determined friend in the next Conservative Government.