Goodlad ready to highlight key industries to visiting minister
THE SCOTTISH minister for agriculture, marine and islands Jim Fairlie is due to arrive in Shetland today (Monday) for a three-day visit.
Fairlie is set to have a busy few days in the isles while meeting with representatives from across the sectors.
Fairlie, who is an SNP MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross, will meet with Shetland Fishermen’s Association, the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation, the council as well as UHI Shetland.
He will also be introduced to the work of several local community development companies and is scheduled to attend the Cunningsburgh Show on Wednesday.
Welcoming the minister, newly elected SNP MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad said the second visit of a government minister within a fortnight was another opportunity to highlight Shetland’s key industries.
“It is so encouraging to see my new colleagues jumping at the chance to visit our islands and to listen to what Shetlanders have to say,” she said.
“Shetland can be a model for many other areas of Scotland in so many ways.
“Such visits also create an opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on the challenges that Shetland’s industries are facing, and I will be raising a range of issues with the minister, particularly those facing our fishing sector, such as local control of local waters; the current fish landing obligation level; and fish landing requirements for international vessels.”
She added: “I’m pleased that the minister is also going to be meeting with some of our local community development projects in Shetland.
“Such projects are perfect examples of how communities can shape their own futures, and we must push power downwards to support these initiatives, giving local communities greater control and autonomy.
“With Mr Fairlie holding responsibility for islands, inter-island connectivity will also form part of my discussions with the minister this week, particularly ahead of the Tunnel Vision meetings I’ll be co-hosting with our islands’ MP around Shetland next week.
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“Without a bold strategy for change many of our family of islands could face increasing depopulation, and I see this as a genuine threat to our way of life and our future prosperity.”
Scottish Government minister with responsibilities for Europe, external affairs and energy, Stephen Gethins, visited Shetland at the end of July.
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