Election candidates hear firsthand from fishermen.
Fishermen in Eyemouth who are facing mounting pressures in their business- from rising fuel costs to falling market prices – shared first-hand accounts of the challenges confronting the industry with a panel of seven candidates seeking local votes in May’s Scottish elections.
Hosted by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and the Anglo Scottish Fishermen’s Association (ASFA), the event gave fishermen a direct platform to share their experiences and outline the realities facing the industry.
A central theme was the immediate financial pressure on the fleet, with fishermen pointing to the dual impact of rising fuel costs and falling market prices. The strain is being felt particularly acutely by prawn vessels, where returns have dropped sharply while operating costs continue to climb.
Speakers described margins being squeezed to unsustainable levels – making it increasingly difficult to attract new entrants and raising serious concerns about the long-term viability of parts of the fleet.
There was also broad agreement among panellists that the fishing industry has, at times, been treated as “collateral” in wider policy and decision-making processes, particularly in relation to offshore developments and marine planning.
Six of the seven candidates in attendance, all but Laura Moodie (Scottish Greens) signed the SFF pledge, which includes a commitment to support “a moratorium on any further consents for offshore wind development until impacts on our sector are addressed in full, including financial compensation”.
The hustings formed part of a wider series of regional events taking place across Scotland, designed to ensure that fishing communities have the opportunity to engage directly with those seeking election.
David Gilchrist, Chair of ASFA, said: “It was hugely encouraging to see such a strong turnout and to hear directly from fishermen about the realities they are facing day-to-day. Events like this are vital in making sure those voices are heard clearly by decision-makers.
“There are real and immediate pressures on the local fleet, particularly around costs and market returns – and it’s important that these are understood by those who seek to represent us.”
Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the SFF, said: “We are grateful to everyone who took the time to attend, and to the candidates for engaging so openly with the issues raised.
“Too often, fishing is discussed at a distance – or framed negatively by those who do not fully understand the realities of the sector. The men and women working at sea are rarely seen, but they are producing high-quality, sustainable food and supporting communities right across Scotland.
“That is why events like this are so important. If they are to truly stand up for fishing, it is vital that politicians – particularly those seeking to represent coastal constituencies in areas like Eyemouth – take the time to listen directly to fishermen, understand the pressures they are under, and see first-hand the role the industry plays in local economies and national food security.”
The panellists comprised: John Redpath (SNP), Laura Moodie (Greens), Rachael Hamilton (Conservative), Ray Georgeson (Liberal Democrat), David Kirkwood (Reform), Kaymarie Hughes (Labour), and James Anderson (Independent).
Recent polling by Opinion Matters on behalf of SFF highlights the strength of feeling locally, with the South of Scotland region recording the highest net positive opinion of the fishing industry of any Scottish region, with 67.8% expressing support.
The same research found that 84.7% of respondents believe Scottish-produced food is as important as Scottish-produced energy, while 86.4% agree the fishing fleet should be protected amid the expansion of offshore wind.
