ARBROATH’S beleaguered fishing industry received its second boost in as many days yesterday when the Scottish Executive did a U-turn on its designated port status.

Following Tuesday’s official European recognition of the Arbroath smokie brand, the Fit o’ the Toon was celebrating again after its harbour was put back on the list of fish landing ports.

Angus MP Mike Weir welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Executive’s fisheries minister during yesterday’s environment and rural development committee meeting.

The decision means local fishing boats will not have to travel to Aberdeen to land their catches.

Mr Weir said, “I am delighted that the pressure exerted by Arbroath fishermen and the SNP has caused the Scottish Executive to buckle and see sense by adding Arbroath harbour to the list.

“Failing to do this could have led to serious consequences for skippers and their crews by forcing them to sail extra miles in all weathers.

“This will not only allow fishermen to land their catches safely at their home port, but also will lift the gloom of the other businesses in the town associated with supplying fuel, nets etc, to local skippers who would have suffered financially had the Executive not relented.

“Together with the news that the Arbroath smokie had been awarded European Union product protection against inferior copies, the Scottish Executive’s announcement has made for a welcome change for Arbroath’s beleaguered fish and fish-related industries.

“Now that the Scottish Executive have finally realised that Scottish fishermen’s lives were at risk from the original designated port list, I am hopeful that they will now fully back the fight to save our fishing industry from the EU’s draconian Common Fishery Policy, starting with the days at sea issue.”

Local skipper Jim Smith, who was out at sea on board his boat Sincerity when the announcement was made, expressed his delight.

“There’s nothing other to say than we are delighted at this news,” he said. “To remove Arbroath in the first place was crazy. Not only was the safety aspect an issue, but it also meant we faced increased fuel costs.

“There are three big boats left in Arbroath and not to reinstate the town’s designated port status would have been a disaster. The same applies to the smaller boats too and it’s good news all round.

“I was delighted to hear that the smokie had been protected and this means that we can continue to play our part by landing the haddock at Arbroath where they are made.”

North-east Scotland Tory MSP Alex Johnstone said, “I am pleased that the Scottish Executive has seen sense and decided that Arbroath will be one of Scotland’s designated ports.

“I am glad that I was able to put pressure on the minister at committee level to ensure that he was well aware of how serious an issue Arbroath’s exclusion was.

“The original plan to exclude Arbroath was ridiculous and unfair and was bad both for local fishermen and the onshore businesses dependent on their boats working out of the harbour.”

Deputy fisheries minister Allan Wilson said, “During the December Fisheries Council, ministers secured a significant increase in the quota for haddock—the mainstay of the Scottish fleet.

“Under the arrangements secured, vessels must have a special haddock permit to gain access to additional quota for fishing for this species in the North Sea.

“When fishing with a permit the catch must be landed at specific designated ports.

“A total of 19 ports were originally designated. Today’s addition of Whitehills, Wick, Arbroath and Macduff will bring that total to 23 and ensures that these smaller fishing communities can reap the benefits secured in December.”

Fishermen will be notified in writing once arrangements have been finalised. Vessel masters who hold a haddock permit will then be free to land at any of the 23 specified haddock ports provided they give the required notice of four hours.