Chamber and committees

Supporting Scotland's Fishing Industry

Submitted by: Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Motion type: Motion For Debate
Motion reference: S7M-01460
Current status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 07 October 2026

That the Parliament recognises the vital importance of Scotland’s fishing industry in sustaining jobs and livelihoods in island and coastal communities and across the wider economy; acknowledges the international reputation of Scottish seafood and the value that Scottish provenance brings to the sector in markets both at home and abroad; welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting a profitable, innovative and sustainable fishing industry; believes that this requires ongoing engagement across the sector, including with its associated supply chain, environmental organisations and fishing communities; notes the continued support provided to the sector through the Marine Fund Scotland, and that effective quota management and licensing arrangements can provide stability and support investment; recognises the range of challenges facing the sector, including the UK Government’s damaging decision to unfairly allocate only £28 million, or 7.78% of the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund to Scotland, despite Scotland’s fishing sector accounting for more than 60% of the UK’s fishing capacity; agrees with industry stakeholders that the UK Government must reverse this decision, and supports the Scottish Government’s approach to the forthcoming international negotiations on fishing opportunities for 2027, where it will seek to balance the sustainable management of fish stocks with the long-term prosperity of Scotland’s fishing communities.

Supported by: Gillian Martin