Poll shows overwhelming numbers support local fishing, fishing body says

Overwhelming numbers of the public believe the government should not be allowed to squeeze fishing communities out of our seas, a fishing body has said.

In polling carried out for the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) by JL Partners, 78 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement: “governments should ensure that fishing communities are not squeezed out of our increasingly crowded seas”, with only four per cent disagreeing.

The poll was carried out across 2,010 people in the UK.

The survey follows a report for the SFF and National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), published this year, which showed that more than half of Scottish waters could be closed to trawling by 2050.

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said: “It is hugely encouraging that almost eight in 10 members of the public share our view that the fishing industry ought to be given much greater protection.

“We fully recognise that decarbonisation is necessary to address climate change.

“However, that should not be at the expense of an industry that is already producing healthy, low-carbon protein.

“The public agree with us that the benefits of climate-smart energy should not be at the expense of climate-smart food.”

ONE COMMENT

Add Your Comment
  • Rahmat Hidayat

    • December 11th, 2022 13:55

    I have experience skippers in longline ship and l want the work in fishing boat with the work professional

    REPLY

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.