The variety of views expressed over the week have served as a stark reminder not just of the inherent challenges posed by fisheries management but also just how different opinions can be. While this means that consensus on the best approach can be hard to achieve, finding a just balance of social and economic factors when managing our fisheries is critical. Without it, the consequences can be wide and far-reaching.
While the pieces published this week paint evocative images of the ‘Glasgow’s village pond’ from years gone by, the fact is that the Clyde is still home to a vibrant marine ecosystem and still supports commercial fishing businesses that are the lifeblood of our coastal communities.
Fishing remains an integral part of our culture and the Scottish Government values the important economic and social contribution that our fishing industry makes. The benefits from our world-class seafood sector flow right through our society and economy, with Scottish seafood rightly taking pride of place at home and across the world.
Fishing in the Clyde is often singled out for arguably unwarranted attention, but the reality is many of the challenges it faces, are the same across Scotland and beyond. Indeed, some are common across all Scottish fishing sectors – access to labour being a good example. The solutions rest both here in Scotland, with the UK Government and with those businesses who rely on our marine space.
We know there is work to do to help improve the health of some of our nationally important fish stocks and to ensure that our fishing businesses have access to appropriate fishing opportunities. We also know there is work to do to improve science, to better manage competing pressures, and to encourage business growth and confidence.
Read more in the series:
How a pioneering marine reserve is bringing life back to the Clyde
The Future of Clyde Fishing – find all articles in series here
On this, progress is being made. The Scottish Sustainable Fishing Indicator demonstrates that the sustainability status of commercial stocks in our waters has increased over time, from 37% in 1993 to 70% in 2022.
We have good partnership working with industry on developing improvements to inshore fisheries management. Earlier this year we introduced interim management measures in response to evidence showing that our vital stocks of crab and lobster are under pressure. We are also developing an agile, more regionalised framework for our inshore fisheries with co-management at its heart. This will enable a range of voices to be heard when developing policy that recognises the geographical variances and distinct challenges faced throughout Scotland’s diverse inshore fishing sector.
We are delivering improvements to technical fishing regulations through our Catching Policy, which will help reduce unwanted bycatch, and improving our evidence base by considering the best ways to utilise vessel tracking and Remote Electronic Monitoring Technology (for example, through the use of cameras). These transformational projects will enhance the reputation of Scottish seafood and ensure the industry remains competitive on the international stage.
In short, we need a healthy marine environment to support a sustainable and profitable fishing industry in the longer term.
Through Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) we recently announced £14 million of funding for 2024-25 to 67 projects, supporting a range of initiatives delivering real benefits for Scotland’s coastal communities, and protecting the marine environment. This included £72,000 for example for the Clyde Fishermen’s Trust Port Glasgow community, training and innovation hub project.
It is important to ensure there is a balance between marine conservation and different economic interests, including existing uses such as fishing and relatively new users such as renewables.
The fishing industry is no stranger to sharing the space in which it operates. For years the industry has co-existed with other activities, although the challenges this brings are being more acutely felt in recent years. Our seas are busy, and that means we need to plan more effectively, and make sure that the right protections are in place.
Looking ahead, climate change will challenge how businesses such as fishing operate. Warming seas also mean the species mix in our waters will change and we must adapt to that and we work together to help this adjustment. This brings both challenge and opportunity.
Government has a fundamental role to play in managing the marine space, planning for its use, and ensuring the interests of different users are considered. We will continue to work in partnership with industry as we make decisions regarding our use of the shared marine space. That theme of collaboration is one that stands out among the pieces published this week, highlighting the importance of our working relationship with the industry, and other stakeholders, to tackle challenges together.
As highlighted by the anecdotal accounts of Clyde fishers themselves, fishing is not an easy job and the challenges they are facing are real. Our fishers have shown remarkable resilience over the years, adapting to changing fishing methods and management mechanisms as well as developing their own voluntary approaches to improve coexistence and demonstrate responsible practices. We have a long history of working with the Clyde fishers and I want to build on that and foster greater collaboration in the future.
Above all, we want a sustainable and safe Scottish fishing industry; one with space to thrive alongside other users of the sea, and one that can fully capitalise on a healthy marine environment.
Mairi Gougeon MSP, is the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel