THE MARINE SECTOR IN AN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND

The Marine Sector in an independent Scotland. Independence would allow Scotland’s marine sector to realise its full potential, according to a new paper to be published by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon on Tuesday, 21 November.

‘Our Marine Sector in an Independent Scotland’ – the eighth paper of the Building a New Scotland series –will set out proposals for how the marine sector would thrive and grow in an independent Scotland.

The paper follows from the publication of ‘An independent Scotland in the EU’ on Friday 17 November, which set out the benefits for an independent Scotland to re-join the EU, giving access to the world’s biggest single market, reduced barriers to trade, free movement of people and access to an equitable share of EU funding.

Ms Gougeon said:

“Scotland is a proud maritime nation and our marine sector is a national asset, but it is only with the full powers of independence that we can unlock its full potential.

“Brexit has significantly impacted Scotland’s marine sector, creating major barriers to trade, reducing access to labour and a loss of fishing opportunities for parts of our fleet. As an independent EU Member State, Scotland would for the first time be able to negotiate for its own priorities at the heart of Europe.

“I look forward to publishing our paper and setting out how by independence can help to address the current challenges in our marine sector and benefit our people, communities, economy and environment.”

Background

Building a new Scotland

“Our Marine Sector in an Independent Scotland” will be the eighth paper to be published in the Building a New Scotland series.

The previous seven papers have set out evidence showing independent countries comparable to Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK; how Scottish democracy can be renewed with independence; the macroeconomic framework, including currency arrangements, for an independent Scotland; how rights and equality could be at the heart of a written constitution developed by the people of Scotland; how citizenship could work in an independent Scotland; how migration and asylum could work in an independent Scotland; and detailing plans on re-joining the EU.