I begin this first column of 2022 by wishing all readers a Happy New Year.
I hope everyone had a nice festive break.
2022 sees growing opportunities for our fishing industry.
For some in the industry, I recognise that the Brexit deal agreed last year didn’t go far enough, fast enough.
But the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), did deliver our exit from the Common Fisheries Policy and, one year into the so-called ‘adjustment period’, a more positive picture is emerging for the industry.
Initial export issues were addressed and further measures to improve efficiency – e.g., digitising paperwork – continue to be developed.
Catching opportunities have also increased, partly through the reintroduction of a quota swap process and through fisheries negotiations with our neighbours.
As a new independent coastal state, we now have a far stronger hand in these negotiations – with our own seat at the table – than if the EU were still negotiating on our behalf.
The agreement reached with Norway last month – our first as an independent coastal state – brings much needed certainty and increased catching opportunities, in several key stocks for 2022.
Last month also saw the announcement of the second and third pillars of the UK Seafood Fund.
£65 million will be made available across the UK to support infrastructure projects and a further £10 million for encouraging new entrants and developing skills and training.
Covid-19 is sadly still with us but, due to the UK-wide vaccine and booster programme, we are in a far better place than this time last year – even with the arrival of the new Omicron variant.
Cases are still rising rapidly but thankfully the mortality rate appears to be drastically lower, and vaccinations are helping keep hospitalisations down.
Last week, I was glad to see the First Minister finally follow the science, and the UK Government, in reducing the covid isolation period from ten to seven days, as well as removing the need for a PCR test to confirm a positive lateral flow test.
Full and updated covid guidance can be found at www.davidduguid.com/covid-advice including the best advice – get vaccinated when you can!