Fishing, Telecoms, Small Business Saturday

Local news from Shetland Liberal Democrats Beatrice Wishart MSP, Alistair Carmichael MP and Cllr Emma Macdonald

Credit to local fishermen that worst-case cuts were avoided in UK-EU-Norway talks
It was revealed on Friday that cod quotas would be cut by 44%, with saithe quotas also to fall by a quarter, after the conclusion of the end of year talks with the EU and Norway. While a hard hit for the local fleet, the outcome was an improvement on the original advice from the International Council for the Exploration of Seas (ICES), which had called for a “zero catch” of North Sea cod.
As Alistair said in responding to the news, it is frustrating that once again poor data is leading to worse outcomes for our fishermen. We cannot continue this pattern of cliff-edge cuts without clear basis. The long term lesson surely has to be that all parties – UK, EU and Norway alike – must get serious about improving their scientific approach to stocks going forward.
On the positive side, it is to the credit of local fishermen and our own negotiators that this outcome is far less damaging than it might have been. That we have avoided that worst-case scenario is a testament to the patient, reasoned approach taken by the SFA and others in fighting their corner

Calling for fair deal for fishing against “spatial squeeze”
Emma, Beatrice and Alistair have this week backed a hard-hitting new report by the Shetland Fishermen’s Association and Voar, which warns that offshore renewables risk squeezing Shetland’s family-owned fishing fleet out of productive grounds.
The report highlights how proposed floating windfarms to the east of Shetland, alongside the extensive cable corridors needed to service them, would occupy large areas of sea currently depended on by local fishing vessels, risking permanent exclusion from some of Shetland’s most valuable fishing grounds.
Shetland’s fishing industry is woven into our economy, our identity, and our way of life, but the growing scale and pace of offshore development now risk pushing our island fleet out.
We are not opposed to renewable energy but a just transition cannot mean sacrificing our local livelihoods or treating Shetland’s seas as a playground for distant developers. Fishing families have sustained these islands for generations, and their future must be given equal weight. Decisions about Shetland’s waters must involve Shetland from the very start, with safeguards that protect key fishing grounds and ensure our communities benefit fairly.

Showing support for Small Business Saturday
On Friday Alistair and Emma made a visit to the Avril T Smith Art Gallery and Shop to show their support for businesses in the isles ahead of Small Business Saturday, and to talk about the impact of the government’s unhelpful Budget decisions on tax.
This Budget has been an immense disappointment for businesses up and down the country, particularly in rural communities like our own. The lack of ambition from the Chancellor has just reinforced the damage caused to small businesses by the last Budget.
There has never been a better time to support local businesses than right now. Here in Shetland we are rightly proud of our small businesses. Local businesses like Avril’s are at the heart of our community – they are exactly the sort of small business that the government should be aiming to support, not undermine.

Meeting with Security Minister on telecoms resilience
On Thursday Alistair secured agreement from the Security Minister Dan Jarvis MP to meet and discuss improvements to the security of undersea cables. One of the key elements that came out of last month’s Resilience Summit was the importance of accurate and available information on the causes of cable outages, as well as information going to customers when disruption happens.
It emerged that Shefa P/F, the owner of the Shefa-2 cable, was forced to submit freedom of information requests to the Scottish Government in order to investigate the causes of cable outages. It is surely an easy win for the UK and Scottish governments to make this information more readily available – so Alistair is following up to secure the promised meeting in the coming days.

SaxaVord
Beatrice promoted SaxaVord spaceport as Scotland’s business minister announced a refresh of the Scottish Government’s space strategy at Space-Comm Expo in Glasgow updating the sector’s priorities and standards. The event was the largest of its kind ever in Scotland, reflecting Scotland’s growing place in the global space economy. Beatrice said:
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement that the space strategy will be refreshed. Shetland’s spaceport developed though the vision of co-founders Scott Hammond, Debbie Strang and the late Frank Strang and their determination to see the project take off.
“The potential of Shetland’s contribution to the space sector is significant and our geographic location puts us in a prime spot for low orbital launches, crucial for satellite technology.
“Growing Scotland’s space sector also requires real public investment in infrastructure. Tunnels and full digital connectivity in Shetland would be a boon to the space sector and help attract more investment into the islands.”

Ready for winter - Ready Scot
The Scottish Government are promoting their ‘Prepare for Winter’ 2025 campaign providing advice at ready.scot. The site has advice for all kinds of emergencies from a burst water pipe to preparing an emergency kit. Beatrice commented:
“With the climate making out weather more unpredictable and intense it will always pay to be prepared. Many in Shetland will have made necessary preparations already, though this resource will help to suggest simple yet effective things to have to hand in an emergency.”

Parliamentary engagement
Beatrice attended a pop-up stall in Parliament promoting volunteers and volunteering in Scotland with Volunteer Scotland, Girlguiding Scotland, Food Train and Lifeboats. Beatrice also took part in Vintage Vibes Christmas Campaign writing a card to help tackle loneliness at Christmas.