Supporting industry and communities.
The marine environment could be better protected and new green jobs could be generated to help create stronger local economies and vibrant coastal communities, according to ‘Our Marine Sector in an Independent Scotland’, a new paper published by Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon.
The paper sets out the benefits of rejoining the EU for the marine sector and the industries and communities it supports, including regaining access to the EU single market for seafood products, enjoying the benefits of free movement and negotiating an equitable share of EU funding. The Scottish Government could also negotiate for its own interests in international marine forums, especially for fishing, without reliance on the UK Government to do so on its behalf.
It also highlights the opportunities for an independent Scotland to generate enough cheap, green electricity to power the economy as well as supporting thousands of jobs for people in the offshore wind supply chain; make coastal and island communities more prosperous and encourage population growth, attracting more people to Scotland to live and work.
This paper sets out in detail how independence, and having an independent Scottish voice in Europe, will benefit our vital Scottish marine sector, the people and businesses that work in it and the coastal and island communities who depend on it.
MS GOUGEON
Our seas, coasts and islands are an important part of our national identity and way of life. Our marine industries – and the rich and diverse marine environment many of them depend on – play a critical role in creating and sustaining jobs and opportunities in our coastal and island communities, and across the supply chain.
Scotland is a proud maritime nation. Scottish vessels account for over 60% of the value and tonnage of all landings by UK fishing vessels, and Scottish-farmed Atlantic salmon is the UK’s biggest single food export.
The untapped potential of our marine sector holds significant benefits for our people, communities, economy, and environment. Realising this potential requires the full powers of independence to provide the necessary support and priority.
GRAEME
The challenges faced by the marine economy, particularly due to Brexit, are evident in the impact on Scotland’s coastal and island communities, businesses, and industries. Independence could open doors by re-joining the EU, offering access to the world’s largest single market and reclaiming lost benefits.
The Scottish Government sees independence as an opportunity to address these challenges and take control of the future of Scotland’s seas
Background
Building a New Scotland: Our marine sector in an independent Scotland
The previous seven papers have set out evidence showing independent countries comparable to Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK; how Scottish democracy can be renewed with independence; the macroeconomic framework, including currency arrangements, for an independent Scotland; how rights and equality could be at the heart of a written constitution developed by the people of Scotland; how citizenship could work in an independent Scotland, how migration and asylum could work in an independent Scotland, and detailing plans on re-joining the EU.
