First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to investigate claims that a Scottish Government agency was not properly supporting fishermen in Shetland.
She said she accepted that concerns raised about Marine Scotland and its approach to dealing with unsellable fish sounded like a “serious and important issue”.
The SNP leader was questioned on the issue at Holyrood yesterday by Highland and islands Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor.
He said: “To relieve Scottish fishermen from the financial burden of new European Union rules on the discarding of fish, Ian Duncan MEP secured a change in EU law, ensuring that the Scottish Government covers the cost of transporting and storing unsellable catch.
“However, it has emerged from correspondence with the Shetland Fishermen’s Association that Marine Scotland is refusing to foot the bill, despite its new obligation under EU law.
“Can the first minister explain why the Scottish Government will not support Scottish fishermen?
“Can she explain why, in not complying with the law, the Scottish Government is willing to pay financial penalties to Brussels that are greater than the cost of supporting the Scottish fishermen in the first place?”
Ms Sturgeon said she would discuss the MSP’s concerns with Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead.
“We will write to the member with a detailed answer to the question and if, when he receives that detailed explanation,” she added.
“If the member wants to meet Richard Lochhead, he will be very happy to meet him.”