Scottish fisheries and climate change survey launched
18th November 2021
The Scottish government has launched a survey to help it understand how ready the Scottish fishing sector is to respond to the climate change challenge.
The survey launched during COP26 and is open until the end of November. It covers topics including emissions, alternative fuels, fishing gear and methods, and blue carbon, and asks the industry for information on climate change impacts it is already seeing and adaptions currently being made.
Responses to the survey will inform a workshop on climate change and fisheries to be held next year, and help the Scottish government ‘map out how it can support the Scottish fishing industry respond to climate crisis and move towards net zero’.
The approach is part of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy, which was published last year. Developed in partnership with key stakeholders, this is an action plan to support the ambition for Scotland to be a world-class fishing nation and ensure responsible and sustainable fisheries management.
Commenting on the launch of the survey, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and islands Mairi Gougeon said: “Scotland’s fishing industry finds itself on the front line of climate change and facing serious challenges. We need to take action now to ensure that a sustainable fishing industry can survive into the future.
“The Scottish government is committed to working with the fishing sector to respond to the climate emergency and to ensure a just transition. This survey will help us to inform our future work on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in Scottish fisheries to engage with this survey.”
The survey can be completed here where further information is also available.
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.
