The Scottish government consultation on the share-out of additional quota received by the UK post-Brexit, which opened in October, closes on 11 January. The consultation sets out a number of possible allocation mechanisms for the quota, which is the Scottish…
Talks on 2024 fishing opportunities between the UK, EU and Norway concluded last week with a deal that was broadly welcomed in Scotland, but much less so in the South West. There were increases in most of the stocks in…
Newly released documents have shed fresh light on discussions between the Scottish and Irish governments on the issue of fisheries access around Rockall – but an Irish industry leader has taken issue with reports that Scotland made serious efforts to…
On behalf of the Our Seas coalition, the national co-ordinator of the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation sets out an alternative vision for Scottish inshore management By Bally Philip Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) have provoked recent outcry, but 40 years…
Scottish rural affairs cabinet secretary Mairi Gougeon used a photo opportunity in front of the fishing fleet in Dunbar harbour last week to launch the Scottish government’s new policy document ‘Our Marine Sector in an Independent Scotland’. With summaries translated…
The Scottish government formally announced last week that it will not be proceeding with its hugely controversial plans to designate 10% of Scottish waters as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). There was a massive backlash against the plans, and the…
Last week saw an extraordinary co-ordinated raid by multiple government agencies, both at sea and ashore, on the shellfish business operated by a lifelong fisherman from South West Scotland. Paul Maguire operates two potters from the historic fishing port of…
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) held its 50th anniversary dinner in the spectacular Queen Anne Room in Edinburgh Castle last week, with equally stunning Scottish seafood served up to the guests, who included several past presidents of the federation, as…
A Holyrood debate on Scottish government support for the fishing industry over the next decade failed to secure any commitments on the scrapping of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). Answering questions from MSPs, energy and environment minister Gillian Martin, who…
Scottish industry leaders laid out the challenges facing the industry from the rapid development of offshore wind farms and the pressures on the inshore sector in a ‘very constructive’ meeting last week with the minister responsible for both energy and…
