Wishart condemns SNP economic link quota increase
Responding to news that the Scottish Government will increase the Scottish Economic Link licence policy for the pelagic fleet from a combined 55% of 8 species to the additional measures of 70% for mackerel and 70% for herring to be landed into Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has condemned the decision as unwelcome.
These new emergency rules will be effective from 1st January 2026.The Economic Link licence condition will require species-specific landings of 70% for mackerel and 70% for herring into Scotland in 2026, up from the current combined requirement of 55% and will be kept under review throughout the year.
Last month, Ms Wishart twice raised concerns about an increase in the economic link highlighting it in a debate and a question in the Scottish Parliament Chamber.
Ms Wishart commented:
“This disproportionate increase from the SNP Scottish Government is unwelcome news for Shetland’s pelagic vessels and the wider Scottish fleet.
“Scotland’s pelagic fleet is made up of 21 family-owned vessels. These are not numbers on a spreadsheet or faceless corporations but everyday family businesses trying to make a living in some of the harshest workplace conditions.
“If vessels are lost from the fleet they will not return, and the current family ownership arrangement will likely change. Any vessel loss will also affect the onshore supply chain including marine engineering and other businesses so intertwined in the fishing economy.
“It’s important the processing and catching sectors work together as you cannot have one without the other.”
You can watch Ms Wishart’s contribution (18.11.25) to the debate: Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry here and you can read the official report here.
You can watch Ms Wishart’s question (26.11.25) on the economic link in the Chamber here and you can read the official report here.