Fishing leaders are worried their industry will be used as a “bargaining chip” in possible future EU membership negotiations.
Alex Salmond has threatened to exclude European fishing boats from Scottish waters if the country is not allowed to keep its EU membership in the event of a Yes vote at September’s independence referendum.
The first minister also insisted that, as a consequence, boats from the 12 EU fishing nations would lose access to Norwegian waters which was “dependent on Scottish access”.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) is worried that, during possible EU negotiations, the Scottish Government would be prepared to make concessions on fishing in return for payoffs in other sphere.
When the UK negotiated EU entry in 1973, Scottish fishing was regarded as expendable because of its relatively small contribution to the overall GDP.
SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “Our fear is exactly the same thing happening again.
“Politicians will tell you that on anything – finance, agriculture, fishing – they will fight for the best possible deal, but the reality is, of course, slightly different.”
Mr Armstrong said Mr Salmond was “simply wrong” over access to Norwegian waters.
Mr Armstrong plans to write to Mr Salmond asking for clarification.