Seafood strategy

1. Vision

The Blue Economy Vision set out the Scottish Government's ambition for the marine environment. It identified six outcomes across social, environmental and economic dimensions to deliver our aspirations for the sustainable management and shared stewardship of Scotland's seas and coasts to 2045. The Blue Economy Vision recognises economic prosperity and wellbeing are embedded within nature and, in order to harness marine product opportunities, we must transform our economy and society to thrive within sustainable limits.

Scotland's world-renowned seafood sector, from catching and production to consumption, is an important pillar of our blue economy – indeed, one of the Blue Economy outcomes relates specifically to the sustainable production of seafood. In addition, the seafood sector makes an important contribution right across the outcomes – environmental, social and economic.

We have therefore adapted the Strategy for Seafood vision and outcomes from those in the Blue Economy Vision to highlight and further define this contribution. They also demonstrate how the sector can contribute to the National Outcomes set out in our National Performance Framework, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

1.1 Strategy for Seafood Vision:

Scottish seafood is renowned both at home and internationally for its quality and sustainability and is enabled by an innovative and productive sector

1.2 Strategy for Seafood Strategic Outcomes:

Scotland is recognised for a seafood sector that is:

1. entrepreneurial, domestically and internationally competitive, with a secure supply chain.

2. providing healthy, quality, sustainably harvested and farmed seafood and ensuring a balanced natural capital asset approach.

3. adapting to, and mitigating the impacts of, climate change, lowering greenhouse gas emissions in seafood production and supporting our Net Zero commitments.

4. contributing to thriving, resilient and healthy coastal and island communities.

This strategy collates and brings cohesion to the wide range of current Scottish Government policy and strategy initiatives that support the achievement of each of these outcomes and highlights some of the inputs industry are delivering to action these. Within each section, it lays out broad recommendations for potential areas of work in the future, and further work will be needed to explore how best to take these forward.

Graphic text below:

Strategy for Seafood Vision

Scottish seafood is renowned both at home and internationally for its quality and sustainability and is enabled by an innovative and productive sector.

One Ocean, One Earth, One Home, One Shared Future

Blue Economy theme: Economic

Strategy for Seafood Strategic Outcomes: A seafood sector that is entrepreneurial, domestically and internationally competitive, with a secure supply chain

National Performance Outcomes 5, 2, 1, 8, 9 and 11

UN Sustainable Development Goals: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, and 17

Blue Economy theme: Environmental

Strategy for Seafood Strategic Outcomes: A seafood sector that is providing healthy, quality, sustainably harvested and farmed seafood and ensuring a balanced natural capital asset approach

Strategy for Seafood Strategic Outcomes: A seafood sector that is adapting to, and mitigating the impacts of, climate change, lowering greenhouse gas emissions in seafood production and supporting our net zero commitments

National Performance Outcomes 8, 5, 3, 4, 7 and 10

UN Sustainable Development Goals: 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15

Blue Economy theme: Social

Strategy for Seafood Strategic Outcomes: A seafood sector that is contributing to thriving, resilient and healthy coastal and island communities

National Performance Outcomes 6 and 10

UN Sustainable Development Goals: 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 16

Key

National Performance Outcomes:

1. We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential

2. We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe

3. We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely

4. We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy

5. We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society

6 .We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment

7. We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone

8. We are healthy and active

9. We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination

10. We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally

11. We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 1: No Poverty

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Goal 4: Quality Education

Goal 5: Gender Equality

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Goal 10: Reduced Inequality

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Goal 13: Climate Action

Goal 14: Life Below Water

Goal 15: Life on Land

Goal 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal