Anxious Coughlan commits to a buyout scheme for fishing vessels

A COMMITMENT to introduce a buy- out scheme for fishing vessels without delay has been given by Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

“We need to offer some fishermen the opportunity to leave fishing and give them appropriate compensation. I am anxious to launch this scheme in the near future and need the European Commission to give its approval,” she said.

Ms Coughlan, who recently took over responsibility for fisheries, outlined her vision for the sector when she met with European Union Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg.