Hansard

I thank Beatrice Wishart for bringing the debate to the chamber today. It is disappointing that the Scottish Government has not held a debate on fisheries for more than three years. The annual debate used to be an opportunity to praise our fishers and to recognise their efforts and the sacrifices that they make as they take to our hostile seas to put food on the table. Celebrating our fishing sector is a good enough reason for the Scottish Government to have a debate, but its failure to hold one also prevents the Parliament from effectively holding it to account.

The issues that our fishing industry faces have been overlooked for far too long, particularly the failure to protect our inshore fishing industry. That industry is not only an economic cornerstone for many coastal communities but a vital part of our cultural heritage and identity. Despite the threat that the industry faces, the response from the Scottish Government has been insufficient. More often than not, the policies that are meant to safeguard and enhance our seas lack the necessary scope to be effective.

The recent consultation on fisheries management measures in offshore marine protected areas included the late addition of the whole-site approach. That was not part of the initial collaborative discussions and has put a significant dent in the industry’s trust in the Government. The approach is disproportionate and offers minimal environmental benefits while imposing significant costs on the fishing sector. If the whole-site approach is extended to inshore MPAs and priority marine features, it will have profound negative implications for the fishing fleet, contradicting the principle of sustainable use that was promised.

The Government’s sudden prioritisation of habitat restoration, including marine environments, lacks a solid evidence base and clear objectives. Restoration efforts are being rushed without proper consideration of baseline conditions and potential unintended effects, and the feasibility of projects is put at risk. The approach also risks exacerbating the spatial squeeze on the fishing industry that Douglas Ross touched on, and it prioritises theoretical impacts over scientifically validated outcomes. We need a Government that is focused on adapting to changing environmental conditions rather than on attempts to restore undefined baselines.

The development of the national marine plan 2 is another area of concern. The existing plan, which was never properly implemented, is being replaced with a new plan that overemphasises the climate and nature crises, placing them above socioeconomic needs. That imbalance could lead to a social crisis, as the long-term importance of producing food from Scotland’s seas is not adequately recognised. We must ensure that the NMP2 supports sustainable fishing practices and does not impose blanket spatial management approaches that could harm the fishing industry.

The inshore fisheries management improvement project is a response to the lack of investment and robust data in managing inshore fisheries. The cabinet secretary is very aware of examples of failure in the current system. Last night, I met local fishing stakeholders whose livelihoods and futures are at risk, including members of the Galloway static gear fishermen’s association, for whom I helped to force a U-turn on a misguided ban on fishing for berried hen lobsters.

We have a cabinet secretary who has also failed to act on a potential multimillion-pound boost for the economy of Dumfries and Galloway from a boat-based cockle fishery. Independently verified stock assessments, impact assessments, RSPB Scotland approval and compliance and funding models have all been delivered on a plate to the marine directorate, but it has turned a blind eye to the opportunity because it is not a national priority. When it comes to the next election, I can assure the cabinet secretary that the good people of Galloway will not forget being told that they are not a priority.

I realise that my time is up, so I will conclude. The Government’s current approach undermines the fishing industry’s sustainability and its trust in the Government. The Government must prioritise collaboration, evidence-based decision making and the long-term viability of the fishing sector in its policies.

Skippinish, a band that is famous for its anti-highly protected marine area protest song “The Clearances Again”, captures the spirit of coastal life. It poignantly reminds us that

“The sea is our lifeblood, our heritage, our home.”

Skipinnish’s lyrics—