Scallops

Today's the day ……………………… for negotiations

As the frenetic wheelings and dealings of Government ministers and EU representatives trying to agree a Brexit deal before time runs out on them, it is interesting to note that one of the sticky areas of negotiation is to do with fishing rights.  Fishing has always been an emotional issue in the UK's relationship with the European Union - and although it is a tiny part of the economy on both sides of the Channel, it carries big political weight.

Kirkcudbright is one of the busiest fishing ports for landings of King and Queen Scallops in the United Kingdom.  King Scallops are caught all around the UK and from the Irish Sea from 1st November to 31st May only in order to conserve stocks. Queen Scallops are mainly fished in the Irish Sea and off the South Coast of Scotland. 

The scallops are caught locally but also brought to Kirkcudbright for processing from all parts of the UK. This company has four of its own boats and employs around 150 people in the processing plant.  Much of what they produce is sold on to European countries - like France.

The outcome of the negotiations is likely to have a huge impact on them - and others like them - and will dictate how they will operate in the future …………………...