Future fisheries: management strategy - 2020 to 2030.

Future fisheries: management strategy - 2020 to 2030 sets out the Scottish Government approach to managing Scotland’s sea fisheries as part of the wider Blue Economy. Through an overarching sustainability approach the Strategy aims to protect the natural marine environment, based on an ecosystem approach, maximize opportunity and long term sustainable economic growth for the rural economy and secure the future of the fishing industry for future generations.
Strategy's environmental outcomes are: fisheries are managed in a way that protects biological diversity and which ensures that marine ecosystems continue to provide economic, environmental, social and wider benefits based on best available scientific advice; fishing within limits based on the best available scientific advice, using the precautionary principle, and aligned with the delivery of fishing at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). Strategy's economic outcomes follow: productive and resilient fisheries and inclusive economic growth; equality of opportunity for fishing opportunities, with support for local jobs, new entrants and small family owned businesses to grow and contribute to the long term economic growth of the Scottish fishing industry; fishing and onshore industries to grow sustainably, and be internationally competitive, through building and maintaining access to market; maximise the benefit of fishing to the local and national economy, with strong links between the marine and onshore sectors; quality jobs which are underpinned by Fair Work principles. Strategy's social outcomes include: recognise the value of fishing for rural coastal communities in supporting local jobs and ways of life, also respecting diversity and equality; recognise and value the contribution made by migrants; protect and encourage the fishing industry to grow in a sustainable manner; recognise and promote the heritage and culture of fishing communities.
An action plan at the end of the document sets out how the Scottish Government will deliver the aspirations, principles and outcomes detailed within the Strategy. Actions listed follow: 1) promote fishing as an attractive and safe career of choice, with a focus on improving safety standards, fair work, supporting new entrants into the sector, and equal treatment regardless of national origin or gender; 2) secure the resilience of the fishing industry, working with stakeholders to strengthen links to local and global markets, supporting diversification and exploring new fishing opportunities; 3) increase the benefit from fishing to local areas through policies around allocation of additional quota; 4) support delivery of a strong relationship between the fishing industry and local communities, with strengthened links to local supply chains, support for consumers to buy local / Scottish and recognising the importance of inward migration for remote and coastal communities; 5) address issues around the shared marine space linking with wider developments through the Blue Economy Action Plan, considering how fishing interests can work alongside others marine users including offshore renewables; 6) strengthen co-management processes and support transparent and responsive management - local community impact as part of our decision making process; 7) deliver a robust licensing regime to manage domestic and foreign vessels fishing in Scottish waters; 8) strengthening quota management and expanding the use of TACs; 9) improve accountability and confidence in our seafood products and fishing operations, supported by a robust compliance regime, making full use of existing tools and new available technology; 10) a robust Catching Policy; 11) work with stakeholders to deliver an ecosystem-based approach to management; 12) take action to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on Scottish seas, and reduce waste