SCOTLAND’S SEAFOOD SECTOR IS A STRATEGIC NATIONAL ASSET THAT MUST NEVER BE TRADED AWAY

Scotland’s seafood sector is a strategic national asset that must never be traded away. Jimmy Buchan MBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seafood Association (SSA), speaks to Fish Focus about the future of Scotland’s seafood processing sector, the importance of collaboration across the supply chain, and why government must work with—not around—the industry.

Fish Focus: Scotland’s seafood processing industry has faced a number of challenges in recent years. How would you describe the sector today?

Jimmy: Despite the challenges, this is not an industry in decline. Quite the opposite. Scotland’s seafood processing sector has the ambition, the expertise and the infrastructure to become one of Europe’s leading seafood processing nations.

We have a world-class fishing fleet, healthy and sustainable fish stocks, skilled people rooted in coastal communities and a global reputation for producing high-quality seafood. Demand for Scottish seafood continues to exceed supply.

The frustration is that too many of the decisions affecting our businesses are made without the industry’s voice being heard. For too long, processors have had to react to policies they had little influence over. If we’re serious about growing the sector, government has to work alongside industry, not around it.

Fish Focus: You often describe fishermen and processors as being “the hand and the glove”. What do you mean by that?

Jimmy: Fishing and processing are completely interdependent. You simply can’t separate one from the other.

Fishermen harvest one of Scotland’s greatest renewable natural resources, while processors create the value by preparing, packaging, marketing and supplying seafood to customers across the UK and around the world.

It’s a simple equation: no fishermen means no fish, and no processors means no market.

When both parts of the industry succeed together, Scotland succeeds. That’s why it’s so important that policy recognises the entire seafood supply chain rather than looking at individual sectors in isolation.

Fish Focus: How important is the processing sector to Scotland’s wider economy?

Jimmy: It’s absolutely fundamental. Processing creates thousands of skilled jobs, supports local businesses and underpins many of Scotland’s coastal communities.

From sea to plate, every part of the supply chain depends on the other. Fishermen land sustainable seafood, processors add value, distributors move products to market and retailers and hospitality businesses put Scottish seafood onto consumers’ plates.

When that whole chain is working together, we have one of the strongest seafood supply systems anywhere in Europe. That’s something we should be building on.

Fish Focus: Food security is becoming an increasingly important issue. Where does seafood fit into that conversation?

Jimmy: Food security has to become a national priority.

Seafood ticks every box. It’s healthy, low carbon, sustainably harvested, locally produced and recognised around the world for its quality. At a time when governments are looking at healthier diets and reducing environmental impacts, seafood should be right at the centre of the discussion.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing UK seafood consumption decline while imports continue to rise. At the same time, misinformation—particularly through digital and AI-driven platforms—is creating confusion about healthy diets.

That’s a real opportunity for the industry. We need to reconnect consumers with seafood as one of the most natural, nutritious and sustainable sources of protein available.

Increasing seafood consumption isn’t just good for our businesses—it’s good for public health. Better diets can improve wellbeing, reduce pressure on the NHS and strengthen local economies at the same time.

Fish Focus: What practical support does the sector need to realise its potential?

Jimmy: We don’t need grand promises—we need practical action.

That means investing in skills and training, creating career pathways for young people, improving housing in coastal communities so workers can live locally, addressing workforce shortages and continuing to invest in ports, transport links, energy infrastructure and digital connectivity.

We also need to help smaller processors and artisan businesses grow because they play an important role in maintaining vibrant coastal economies.

Every job created in seafood has a wider economic impact, but businesses can only grow if the right conditions are in place.

Fish Focus: The seafood industry has often found itself at the centre of political negotiations. What’s your message to government?

Jimmy: Scotland’s seafood sector is not a bargaining chip.

It’s a strategic national asset built on sustainable natural resources, highly skilled people and generations of knowledge. Decisions affecting fishing opportunities, market access and seafood businesses should never be made without proper engagement with the people whose livelihoods depend on them.

The industry deserves to be involved in shaping the policies that affect its future.

 Fish Focus: Governments change, priorities change. How important is long-term policy?

Jimmy: That’s exactly the issue.

Every election brings renewed interest in coastal communities and plenty of positive words, but too often the momentum disappears as political priorities shift.

What we need is consistency. The seafood sector requires a long-term, cross-party commitment that recognises its importance to economic growth, food security and sustainable coastal communities.

This industry plans investments over decades, not election cycles.

Fish Focus: Finally, if you could leave government with one message, what would it be?

Jimmy: Scotland already has everything it needs to succeed.

We have a strategic North Atlantic location, sustainable fish stocks, an innovative processing sector, proud fishing communities and businesses that are ready to invest.

What we need now is genuine partnership.

Government should work with the sector to create policies that support ambition, encourage investment, strengthen coastal communities and recognise seafood for what it is—a strategic national asset.

The future is there for the taking, but it will only be achieved if decisions are made with the industry, not in its absence.

Read Fish Focus’ latest seafood processing magazine.

Image: SSA