Photo by Andrew Dawes
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and its commercial companies have appointed Mairi Gougeon, former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, as chief executive-designate. The Fishing Daily reports that Gougeon will join the Federation on 1 October and work alongside current chief executive Elspeth Macdonald during a transition period, before taking over in full when Macdonald retires in March 2027, having led SFF for eight years.
Gougeon, who stood down as MSP for Angus North and Mearns at May’s Holyrood election, held the rural affairs brief, which includes fisheries and marine policy, from 2021 until then. The Scotsman notes that her appointment follows a recruitment process launched after Macdonald announced her intention to retire, and Fishing News has followed her career since she first entered government in 2018, including her appointment to the rural affairs cabinet post in 2021.
SFF president Hannah Fennell said Gougeon is “extremely well placed” to provide leadership for Scotland’s fishing industry, pointing to her understanding of fisheries policy, government and the regulatory environment the industry operates in, as well as the economic and social importance of fishing to Scotland’s coastal communities. Gougeon said her time in government had shown her both the importance of the industry to Scotland’s economy, food production and coastal communities, and the complexity of the challenges it faces. Macdonald welcomed the appointment, saying she looked forward to working closely with Gougeon during the transition.
Gougeon’s appointment was reviewed by the First Minister’s Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code, a standard check for ministers moving into related industry roles; both Gougeon and SFF have confirmed they will comply with the conditions set by the Advisers.
A mixed record with the fishing industry
Gougeon’s relationship with the catching sector she will now represent has had its tensions. In 2023, as part of the SNP government, she voted for a Highly Protected Marine Areas consultation that the SFF itself warned would have a catastrophic effect on Scotland’s fisheries sector, before the plan was scrapped by ministers. Fishing News reported that, speaking at SFF’s 50th anniversary dinner later that year, Gougeon acknowledged that much of the industry did not share her views on Brexit, marine protection or Scottish independence, telling the room “of course we do not always agree,” while stressing a shared aim of a prosperous and sustainable Scottish fishing industry.