TWO THIRDS OF SCOTS MORE LIKELY TO VOTE FOR PARTIES THAT BACK FISHING

Two thirds of Scots more likely to vote for parties that back fishing, new polling shows. The Scottish public strongly supports the country’s fishing industry, and is more likely to vote for political parties that back it, new polling reveals.

On behalf of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), Opinion Matters asked 1,000 adults for their views on the sector ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election on 7^th May.

Asked whether they would be more or less likely to vote for political parties if they committed clearly to supporting Scotland’s fishing industry, rather than letting it become a casualty of offshore wind development, two-thirds (66%) of respondents said they would be more likely to do so, with more than a quarter saying they would be much more likely to do so. Just 5% said they would be less likely to support such parties.

Support is strongest in North East Scotland (70%), but also consistently high in Scotland’s main urban areas, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee (ranging from 64-71%)

Asked how much of a positive or negative opinion they had of the industry, 63% of respondents had a positive opinion, rising to 72% among men (53% among women).

Despite a series of campaigns against industry by anti-fishing e-NGOs, a mere 6% had a negative view of the sector.

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said:

“This polling sends a clear message to every political party ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election in May: the public backs Scotland’s fishing sector, sees it as vital to food security and expects government to do more to support it.

“We ask all candidates to echo the public’s opinion and stand up for the fishing industry and sign our pledge in support of our manifesto that calls for policy and regulation that enables rather than restricts or undermines fishing and the coastal and island communities that depend on it.

“We need a government that supports, values and protects what fishing provides – renewable healthy protein, food security to meet a growing need, good jobs at sea and ashore, enabling fishing businesses to contribute to Scotland’s marine economy and to Scottish and UK exports.”

Indeed, voters want stronger political backing for fishing as a key food-producing industry:

• 82% agree that the next Scottish Government should do more to support this important form of food production.
• 43% strongly agree.
• Only 4% disagree.

And when asked how important food security is for Scotland, an overwhelming 98% of respondents answered affirmatively, with 68% saying it was very important and just 2% saying it was not important.

 There is near-consensus that Scotland’s natural marine resources must play a role in meeting that priority:

• 87% agree that “the natural resource of fish in our seas should be part of our national food security”.
• A majority (53%) strongly agree.
• Only 2% disagree.

Agreement rises to 92% among those aged 55+, and stands at 83% or higher across all regions surveyed.

The public also place Scottish-produced food on the same footing as energy production:

• 87% agree that “Scottish-produced food is as important as Scottish-produced energy for our nation”.
• 58% strongly agree.
• Just 2% disagree.

Support rises to 92% among those aged 55+, and strong agreement peaks in North-East Scotland (63%).

Image: ©Fish Focus