It is essential that the Scottish fishing industry is sustainable, and that our marine environment is protected.
Scottish Labour supports protecting our marine ecosystems but this cannot be at the expense of the livelihoods of our coastal communities. Local fishers have been safeguarding our seas for generations – a Scottish Labour government would be working with them, not against them.
Thriving seas, with healthy fish populations and resilient habitats depend on an effective planning system at sea, so that Scotland’s seas support species, habitats and communities, as the health of our seas is vital for communities who rely on the marine environment.
Scotland’s Marine Assessment 2020 identified climate change, seabed-contacting and open water towed fishing activities as the key pressures facing marine biodiversity. While the majority of Scotland’s fishers do not use these methods, Scottish Labour believes high intensity fishing practices like these and bottom trawling should therefore only be permitted in the right locations, where they do not risk damage to biodiversity. Coastal, island and fishing communities must be closely involved in the process of designing fisheries planning, and work must be done with all marine users to develop a clear consensus on how to balance the need to protect our marine environment and safeguard the tens of thousands of jobs that rely on it.
Success will depend upon a collaborative approach with all stakeholders, including local communities, fully involved, and engaged with support, access to advice and scientific evidence and independent scrutiny.
Labour will always back our great Scottish fishing industry, and recognises the challenges the fishing sector has faced over the past few years which is why we are engaging with industry to create more secure, sustainable, and economically successful fishing and aquaculture sectors, which will in turn support local communities. Effective fisheries management is key to addressing the contribution of commercial fishing to the climate and ecological crisis, and improving economic resilience to its impacts, and Labour will work to ensure we can meet both our goals.