Many people have been enquiring if any steps have been taken to prevent fishing for mackerel on the Lord’s Day, which has been permitted recently by the Government. We are pleased to report that a number of bodies, religious and secular, have protested vigorously. The Sabbath Observance Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland sent the following letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland on 3rd August 1979:
Right Honourable Sir,
Pelagic Fishing Licence, West Coast of Scotland,
Mackerel Fishing Season, 1979.
We understand from news reports that the above licence allows mackerel fishing and landing of catches on the Lord’s Day during the season. We wish to add to our telegram of yesterday by hereby registering our strongest protest against your permitting such a blatant encroachment on the sanctity of Christian Sabbath.
We earnestly request you to take immediate steps to revise the present licence to prevent fishing and landing of catches on Sabbaths and shall be glad to hear from you that this will be done.
We also urge you to ensure that future licences do not permit Sabbath fishing and landings. Considering that God’s commands cannot be disobeyed with impunity, it would be decidedly detrimental to both the
religious and economic life of the country if the Government were to sanction disobedience to His constantly binding commandment, “Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work.” (Exodus 20:8, 9).
Yours faithfully,
Neil M. Ross,
Clerk to the Committee.