Scottish Parliament – Nov. 18, 2025 – 5

The next question is, that motion S6M-19739, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on supporting Scotland’s fishing industry, be agreed to. Are we agreed? S6M-19739: That the Parliament condemns the UK Government’s damaging decision to allocate Scotland only £28 million of the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, which is only 7.78% of the fund;

agrees that this is an entirely unfair settlement and calls on the UK Government to reverse this decision, as called for by the Scottish Government and industry stakeholders;

acknowledges that Scotland previously received 46% of the EU funding allocated to the UK;

welcomes that the Scottish fishing sector accounts for over 60% of the UK’s fishing capacity and over 60% of UK seafood exports, and that more than 75% of all UK quota species are landed by Scottish vessels;

recognises the need for continued investment to build a thriving, sustainable and modern fishing industry, which is of key importance to Scotland’s island and coastal communities and the wider economy;

acknowledges the range of challenges facing the fishing industry, including the ongoing negotiations with international partners to agree fishing opportunities for 2026 and the challenging advice for a number of key stocks, and further acknowledges Scotland's negotiating position, which seeks to balance sustainably managed fish stocks alongside a sustainable and prosperous fishing sector.