AN action plan to greatly increase the sales of Scottish seafood was announced yesterday.
The 18-point plan will deliver a strategy for the Scottish seafood sector’s contribution to Scotland Food & Drink ‘Ambition 2030’ which aims to double the value of food and drink to £30 billion.
Industry body Seafood Scotland yesterday launched Changing Tides – a strategic action plan designed to be a catalyst for change in Scotland’s seafood sector.
In the paper’s foreword, Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, said: “I welcome this action plan, which will help deliver the next steps to drive the sector forward. Key building blocks are the need for sustainable management of resources and a willingness to innovate, helping to create investment and maintain high-value jobs, often in the most remote and rural communities in Scotland.”
The report includes 18 actions for the sector, to be delivered by several industry bodies including industry representative associations, enterprise bodies and local and national Government, and aims to bring about change under four key themes of market development and brand, marketing support for home and international markets, market intelligence and practical support for growth.
There will be greater support for businesses, standards and accreditation to support marketing and improve business performance, and investment and innovation.
The plan calls for the building of ability to generate investment, the creation of an enabling environment for businesses, access to innovation and automation opportunities and new funding support for innovation.
Patrick Hughes, head of Seafood Scotland said: “Changing Tides is the beginning of a process – to clearly set out the steps required to help the Scottish seafood sector reach its long-term potential. Our reputation for quality and sustainability has seen Scottish seafood travel all over the world, and with additional support from partners at home, the industry can sustain the status quo and go on to achieve significant growth.”
Scottish seafood’s reputation is global, reaching to Brussels, Boston, Beijing and beyond. Recent figures show that around 466,000 tonnes of fish is landed per year in Scotland, and along with just under 200,000 tonnes of farmed seafood, it
equates to around £560 million. Around 64% of the UK fishing fleet is Scottish, but the economic impact of their catch goes much further, with 8380 processing jobs across 150 sites, and a further 12,000 jobs supported by the wider aquaculture sector.
James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The Scottish seafood industry is a key driver in the economy. It is the star player in Scotland’s food export journey with a growing strength of reputation. This plan reflects the ambition of the entire food and drink industry in Scotland.”
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