In the paper’s foreword, Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, said: “I welcome this action plan, which will help deliver the next steps to drive the sector forward. Key building blocks are the need for sustainable management of resources and a willingness to innovate, helping to create investment and maintain high-value jobs, often in the most remote and rural communities in Scotland.”
Patrick Hughes, Head of Seafood Scotland said: “Changing Tides is the beginning of a process – to clearly set out the steps required to help the Scottish seafood sector reach its long-term potential. Our reputation for quality and sustainability has seen Scottish seafood travel all over the world, and with additional support from partners at home, the industry can sustain the status quo and go on to achieve significant growth.”
The report includes 18 actions for the sector, to be delivered by several industry bodies including industry representative associations, enterprise bodies and local and national Government, and aims to bring about change under four key themes of: