Responding to today's EU-UK deal and its impact on fishing, Highlands and Islands MSP and Shadow Minister for Islands, Jamie Halcro Johnston, said:
“Scotland’s fishing industry is a vital part of our local economy, supporting jobs and livelihoods right across the Highlands and Islands.
"Labour's shameful capitulation to EU negotiators will be a serious blow to the sector and to fishing communities in the region.
“When I have met with industry leaders in the last few weeks, they made it absolutely clear that a multi-year deal was what they were most worried about. Now their fears have been realised, although this 12-year deal is far worse than expected.
“Rather than stand up for our coastal communities, Keir Starmer has caved to the European Union and, in doing so, has shamefully betrayed our fishermen.
“I share the anger felt by the sector, and it is an anger felt in fishing communities across Scotland who now know how little Labour values their industry or the livelihoods it supports".
