22 Sep 2026
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 […]
31 Mar 2026
Photo by Maja R Scotland’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee has sharply criticised the Scottish Government for failing to deliver urgent reforms to salmon farming regulation, warning that progress since its 2025 inquiry has been “disappointing.” In a letter sent to Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon on 25 March, signed by Convener Finlay Carson MSP, the […]
24 Mar 2026
Photo by Ramon Vloon Scotland’s £16 million Marine Fund has reopened for applications, with Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announcing the expanded scheme during a visit to Dunbar harbour. But the launch has been met with immediate criticism from conservation and coastal community groups who warn that the fund’s eligibility criteria are too narrowly drawn to […]
17 Mar 2026
Photo by Bob Brewer The Scottish Government has concluded that no new regulation is needed to address fish mortality on salmon farms, following the publication of a Marine Directorate research report into persistent elevated deaths at marine sites. The finding, presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 11 March, has […]
10 Feb 2026
Photo by Bob Brewer Scottish salmon farmers recorded more than 35 million unexpected salmon deaths in just under three years, but there were only two unannounced inspections of facilities over the same period, according to freedom of information data obtained by Animal Equality UK. The revelations have prompted criticism of what the Scottish government’s rural affairs […]