Meeting of the Parliament 18 November 2025
Today’s debate is an opportunity to set out Scotland’s approach to this year’s fisheries negotiations and the setting of fishing opportunities for the year ahead. It is also a chance to recognise the economic, social and cultural importance of fishing to Scotland, acknowledging the challenges and reaffirming our commitment to supporting our fishing industry.
Despite the current pressures, the fishing industry remains resilient, sustaining many coastal and island communities. In 2024, Scottish vessels landed 561,000 tonnes of sea fish and shellfish worth £756 million—the highest value in tonnage in a decade. We must also recognise the wider seafood supply chain. Our ports, hauliers and many onshore businesses, including processors, supply quality seafood to domestic and export markets, supporting thousands of jobs.
We also know that the sector faces challenges, such as the increasing demands on our seas and the uncertainty that businesses face. It is clear that, for decades, our fishing communities have been let down by successive United Kingdom Governments. The previous UK Conservative Government’s Brexit deal fell far short of promised quota increases and it created trade barriers, harming competitiveness and worsening labour shortages. To compound matters, in May, the UK Labour Government landed us with a trade and co-operation agreement that extended fisheries access to 2038.
Although I welcome aspects of the wider deal, such as those that hope to reduce costs and delays for seafood exports, the fact is that the fisheries access agreement falls well short for the fishing industry.