Anglers may have their attention on the news rather than on their fishing rods tomorrow (February 29th) when a verdict on the future of fishing discards is expected.
The European Union's (EU's) controversial policy has divided the opinions of many in the industry and Scottish Fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead has written to the EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki ahead of the announcement, the Press Association reports.
In the letter, Mr Lochhead claimed that fish discards had been reduced in Scottish waters "at a faster rate than anywhere else in the EU" and urged the organisation to follow the country's example.
"I welcome that a process is finally under way to address the problem," he added.
The Scottish government has also joined campaigns for a solution to the policy.
Last week, members of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations offered Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall advice on how to implement the changes he called for regarding to discards policy.
