Wishart calls for greater engagement with local fishing fleets

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has called for greater engagement with local fishing fleets during a debate in Holyrood. Wishart highlighted the economic and cultural importance of fishing for coastal communities and highlighted the impact of landings from non-UK vessels, spatial squeeze and concerns about the Marine Directorate during the debate.

Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2023 (corrected March 2025), the latest data available, showed that Scottish vessels landed £683 million of sea fish and shellfish in 2023. With Shetland as a whole landing a total value of almost £100 million in the same period.

This was the second debate held in the Parliament since 2022. Ms Wishart brought the last debate in February 2025.

During the debate Ms Wishart said:

“It is critical that we listen to those in the fishing industry who feel they have over the decades been sold out by successive UK Governments, most recently by the botched Boris Brexit deal in 2021 which brought in new trade barriers.

“With the Scottish public clearly supportive, our fishing sector can no longer be made to feel that policies enacted are to the detriment of their livelihoods and with little or no consultation. 

“Before I conclude, Presiding Officer, I have long held and raised concerns about the resourcing of the Marine Directorate given all that it is asked to do from patrolling Scotland’s waters research and analysis of data.

“Concerns continue that the checking of landings at Scottish ports by non-UK vessels are not scrutinised effectively at the expense of the Scottish fleet and accurate scientific data. 

“And with increasing at sea infrastructure as we transition away from legacy fuels there needs to be a better communications channel for discussions about the impacts of offshore wind developments on traditional fishing grounds and nursery areas.

“I would urge greater engagement between stakeholders, Scottish Government and the local fishing fleets about the realities of spatial squeeze to help ensure the future of Scotland’s important fishing sector.”

Ms Wishart’s speech can be seen here.

Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2023 - corrected March 2025 can be read here.