On 23rd June 2026, the Our Seas Coalition handed its petition to Jim Fairlie MSP the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands at the Scottish Parliament. 16900 people had signed, calling for better protections for 30% of Scotland’s seas from the most damaging forms of fishing.
Members and signatories from all over Scotland were in attendance, representing community groups, fishers, NGOs, artists, youth groups, divers, tourism operators and anglers; people brought together by their concern for the sea and united in their calls for action. 17 MSPs, from different political parties came to meet the petitioners and show their support and interest in learning more.
Rosie Landon, SIFT’s Policy Officer, delivered a speech to the Minister alongside Our Seas’ Coordinator, Holly Hendry. In it, they referenced the decline of Scotland’s inshore, and highlighted the socio-economic benefits of marine protection when ecosystems are allowed to recover. SIFT also contributed ‘Clyde’ the 20ft cod – a species symbolising the loss of inshore finfish fisheries – who was a hit with the primary school groups and MSPs alike.
The petition was subsequently referenced in the Parliament’s Chamber by the First Minister at First Minister’s Questions, and again the following day by Jim Fairlie MSP in Portfolio Questions – showing that the petition had been successfully put onto their agenda in this new Parliamentary Session.
The coalition is joining calls from other environmental groups for the Scottish Government to release the consultation on inshore MPA and PMF fisheries management measures within their first 100 days in office – after over 10 years of delay.
