It would be no exaggeration to say that the current threats that lie ahead for our industry are some of the greatest we have ever faced. By far the greatest challenge lies in the Nephrops and whitefish sectors. Nephrops, or Scottish Langoustine, might be the least worst of the two, but try telling that to a hard-working west coast fisherman faced with a 25% reduction in his fishing effort for 2010. The North Sea fleets fishing for whitefish or prawns face the best part of 15% effort reduction. These proposed cuts have potentially devastating implications for the Scottish fleet.

The two recent economic assessments of the state of the industry make grim reading, particularly for the whitefish sector. If we are faced with a continuation over the next couple of years of the effects across the whole demersal sector of the cod plan and the west coast measures then we will see a further reduction in the size of the fleet, without guaranteeing the stock recovery which is meant to result. Unfortunately it’s not just effort - days at sea – that’s holding our attention. Unhappy quota prospects in several mainstay stocks are proposed for 2010. Ill-fitting management measures that continue result in discarding are still with us - including the high-grading ban - are all too real examples of reasonable management objectives that have gone horribly wrong.

It is one thing to be burdened with excessive complexity of rules, but quite another to find yourself simply unable to comply. Fundamental and sensible reform of the CFP is vital so as to preserve and protect our ability to harvest sustainably this wonderful renewable resource. Equally the Marine Bills north and south of the border carry with them the duty of our governments to protect this right.

It is particularly galling that these unwanted pressures and ill thought-out proposals come at a time when the Scottish fleet has been taking the global lead in adopting a whole raft of conservation initiatives to protect stocks. These include tile adoption of closed geographical areas to protect juvenile and spawning fish, working closer than ever with scientists to ensure efficient stock monitoring, developing new and more selective designs of trawls, and participating in independent eco-label certification schemes such as the gold-standard Marine Stewardship Council. In fact over 50% of all Scottish fisheries by value are currently independently certified or are in the full assessment process of the MSC standard for responsible and sustainable fishing. One in 10 of all the world’s MSC certified fisheries are Scottish and 90% of Scottish pelagic fisheries are now certified as being sustainably fished. In addition, 125 Scottish fishing vessels are certified under the Sea Fish Industry Authority's Responsible Fishing Scheme with more currently undergoing assessment.

But despite the SFF's commitment to sustainability we are under continual attack from those who would like to see the oceans as some kind of protected aquarium without recognising their importance as a valuable and renewable food resource. Our definition of sustainability is not only abundant fish and shellfish stocks, but also available fishing fleet. You can rest assured that the SFF will never let up in its fight in protecting the future of this important industry.

It was anticipated that the market our fishery products would be difficult during 2009, but it would be fair to stay we underestimated how bad it would actually be. Pelagic fish has bucked the trend with mackerel prices stable and herring prices showing a slight increase this year: however nearly every other product has seen a dramatic decline.

Through this global economic crisis we have seen how fragile our marketing strategy is our langoustine, hake and megrim market for instance is almost wholly in France and Spain. We need to develop additional markets and where better to start than at home. There seems to be an appetite within the British public for trying non-traditional species, but we need to get the message across that Scotland has a wealth of diverse species to offer the consumer. Imports of farmed shrimps, tilapia and pangasius are a common sight on the shelves of the UK's supermarkets: but we must convince the public the benefits of eating our locally caught wild produce.

Although the pelagic industry has fared better than most this year: there still remain a number of challenges. The mackerel fishery is now accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council and the hope is to have the Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery accredited by the time the 2010 fishery commences.

Mackerel is by far the most important fishery for the Scottish pelagic fleet: the fishery is governed by a Coastal States agreement which is under threat in its present form. Iceland a non Coastal State member, and a nation which professes to be at the forefront of sustainable fisheries, has for the second year in a row declared catches of mackerel in excess of 110.000t. When you consider that the Coastal States agreement in line with scientific advice allow for catches of 511.000t it is no wonder genuine fears arise about the future sustainability of the fishery if Iceland continues to ignore the protests of the International Community.

It seems that the Coastal Stales may agree to Iceland's demands to become a Coastal State partner, Scotland must track these developments carefully. We are a major stakeholder and potential losers in this delicate negotiation.

Despite all the difficulties facing the industry, it is important to focus on the good news as well and this is why we should recognise the valuable work of the Scottish Fishermen’s Trust. It was set up by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation in 2000 and since is inception has awarded over £170.000 to worthwhile projects. One of the key aims of the Trust is to conserve the marine environment: advance public understanding of marine ecology and biodiversity. The Trust also promotes and encourages the health, safety and training of fishermen.

In 2009 SFT demonstrated strong support for industry training by setting aside funds accessible by individual active fishermen’s undertaking recognised training courses. This year the trust has attracted a very welcome £10,000 donation from the offshore Company Petrofac as well as funds from SFF Services.

While another very difficult year lies ahead of us, there really is everything to fight for-all the mainstay stocks are in reasonable condition and we have established ourselves as the innovative leader in sustainability. We look to forward to reform of the CFP with some hope, but note that it's the same old system this year which will set our fortunes for 2010.

I wish all our members a successful year's fishing for 2010.