Politics: Economic opportunity along and beyond the local coastline is immense

Did you know that 48 per cent of the Scottish Parliament’s constituencies are coastal?

If we include estuaries, the figure reaches 60 per cent. And all but one of the Scottish Parliament’s electoral regions touch the coast.

That means that 93 Members of the Scottish Parliament represent coastal communities, including estuaries, which is 72 per cent of our Parliament.

Scotland is a maritime nation and this is so clearly reflected in our legislature. Fishing forms part of our past and present and will no doubt play a pivotal role in our future.

Conversations around fisheries are a constant in the chamber. Only recently in Parliament, I asked the Scottish Government about the annual negotiations of the Coastal States and in my role as Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Fisheries and Coastal Communities, I am listening to experts from across Scotland, Europe and from supranational organisations like the United Nations on best practices.

I know many readers will have been interested to see the latest in the Scottish Government’s "Building a New Scotland” papers, released last week, on the subject of "Our marine sector in an independent Scotland".

The paper presents a compelling vision for the nation’s and, consequently, our region’s maritime future.

As I have talked about many times before (and will do again), the economic opportunity along and beyond our local coastline is immense.

Scotland’s underwater industries are expected to be worth £45 billion by 2035. We have to be asking ourselves: how do we get the best deal from this locally?

I believe this paper has some great ideas and shows how our region has a real chance to thrive from a major share in these booming industries, seeing on-the-ground benefits including jobs and economic growth.

The benefits are not only local. Independence in Europe would mean being part of the world’s largest single market and our voice having real influence on the global stage.

Indeed, as the Banffshire and Buchan Coast is a large and critical part of Scotland and Europe’s marine areas, our communities would have a far greater say in the way policies are made at a national level in Scotland and also at a European level.

It means our local voice will be active in making fair rules for those who work on and off our coastline.

Critically, we won’t be subject to the whims of whichever party or Prime Minister rules Brexit Britain, where our environmental protections and competitive advantages have been squandered.

Across Banffshire and Buchan Coast, our lives and livelihoods depend on the environment.

The paper underscores Scotland's commitment to the environment, whether through renewables, carbon capture or sustainable fishing.

It shows how local communities will play their role and benefit from a just transition and precisely outlines how we will have our say in how this happens.

Regardless of your views on independence, I encourage all to have a read of the "Building a New Scotland: Our marine sector in an independent Scotland" paper.

Those who call the north-east home will be familiar with so many aspects of the paper already, but this is a timely opportunity to reflect again on where we stand and where Scotland’s great potential can lead us.

Fisheries are the lifeblood of Banffshire and the proposals set out in this latest paper would be of great benefit to local communities and economies, ultimately creating jobs and fuelling prosperity along the coast.

But this is about more than jobs. Fishing is part of our culture along the north-east coast. And these proposals both recognise that and set concrete actions to protect, preserve and promote that culture.

This is an exciting time for our rural and coastal economies. Much of the Parliament’s focus is on seizing the opportunities that Scotland has, and maximising our potential, particularly in local economies.

I believe that this should be driven as much by the people as politicians, so have your say.