Scottish Skipper Expo 2022 was a great success with large numbers of visitors turning-up from the moment the doors opened and exhibitors experiencing brisk business on their stands.
It was also a time of celebration, with Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation saying: “It is great to be in this excellent venue and I am delighted to see everyone today. The fishing industry has much to be proud about and much to promote.”
Mari Gougeon, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, wished everyone a fabulous couple of days at the expo, and added: ““It is fantastic that everyone is able to get together today.”
Sharon Boyle, Commercial Fisheries Manager for show organiser Mara Media, said: “With over 180 exhibiting stands, it is wonderful to see so many people here and engaging with exhibitors. We are delighted with the visitor attendance so far, with people being able to conduct business in a friendly and convivial atmosphere.”
Scottish Skipper Expo 2022 was held from 13-14 May at the P&J Live arena in Aberdeen.
Elspeth Macdonald said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP to the Skipper Expo, which I’m pleased to say was very busy after two years with no collective industry events.
“The Minister’s visit was an excellent opportunity to press home our growing concerns over the substantial spatial squeeze from offshore wind and Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), in which fishing will be banned and to highlight the fact that fishing has a much lower carbon footprint than most other forms of food production, such as meat and even many vegetables.
“While it is widely accepted that more offshore renewables will be required for Scotland to meet its net zero target by 2045, the next round of projects covers a far greater area of seabed than industry had been told leases would be given for.”
Mairi Gougeon said: “The Scottish Government remains fully committed to supporting the Scottish seafood sector, and the sustainable development of the industry both at sea and onshore.”
She added: “I will continue to seek to understand more about the challenges faced by Scotland’s seafood industry, whether that be access to labour or the costs of export, and what uncertainty means for businesses at sea and throughout the supply chain.”