Mairie Gougeon to be next Scottish Fishermen's Federation CEO
Former Cabinet Secretary will take over from Elspeth Macdonald next spring
Mairi Gougeon, the former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands in the Scottish Government, has been appointed chief executive-designate by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.
She will join the Federation on October 1 and work alongside current CEO Elspeth Macdonald during a transition period, before taking over in full when Macdonald retires in March 2027.
Gougeon, whose Cabinet portfolio included fish farming, was largely supportive of both fishing and aquaculture during her time in office. She brings extensive experience of fisheries, marine policy, food and drink, and Scotland’s coastal and island communities.
SFF president Hannah Fennell said Gougeon is “extremely well placed” to provide leadership for Scotland’s fishing industry as it looks ahead to the major opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
Exceptional understanding
“Mairi brings an exceptional understanding of fisheries policy, government and the political and regulatory environment in which our industry operates. Just as importantly, she understands the economic and social importance of fishing to communities around Scotland’s coastline,” said Fennell in a post on LinkedIn.
“Fishing faces some major opportunities and challenges in the years ahead. We need a strong and persuasive voice making the case for an industry which produces sustainable, nutritious food, supports thousands of jobs and remains fundamental to the future of many of Scotland’s coastal and island communities.
“We believe Mairi is extremely well placed to provide that leadership.”
Complex challenges
Gougeon said that during her time in government she came to understand the complexity of the challenges the industry faces and the importance of ensuring that the experience and knowledge of fishermen are properly understood when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made.
“There will inevitably be issues on which industry and government agree and others on which they do not. My responsibility as chief executive will be clear: to represent the interests of SFF’s constituent associations and to make the strongest possible case for a successful, sustainable and profitable future for Scotland’s fishing industry.”
There will inevitably be issues on which industry and government don't agree. My responsibility will be to make the strongest possible case for a successful, sustainable and profitable future for Scotland’s fishing industry.
Retiring CEO Elspeth Macdonald said she looked forward to working closely with her successor over the coming months.
“There is a great deal for us to work on during the transition period, and Mairi’s extensive knowledge and experience will allow her to hit the ground running,” added Macdonald.
“Leading SFF has been an enormous privilege. I know from experience just how important it is that Scotland’s fishermen have a strong, credible and independent voice, and I look forward to helping Mairi prepare to take that work forward.”
Protected areas
Gougeon’s appointment comes as her former Scottish National Party (SNP) colleagues still in government consult with fishers, coastal communities, marine and environmental groups on proposals for fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas in Scottish waters.
The Scottish Government says the proposed measures aim to protect important habitats and species while supporting sustainable fisheries and the coastal communities that depend on healthy, productive seas.
The consultation covers more than 160 sites and areas across inshore waters and will remain open until January 18 next year, giving people a longer than usual opportunity to share their views.
Party revolt
A 2023 proposal by the SNP’s and Scottish Greens to make an arbitrary 10% of Scottish seas into Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in which fishing, aquaculture, and even leisure activities would be banned, caused a storm of protest and a relatively rare moment of unity between fishers and fish farmers.
A consultation about HPMAs prompted 4,000 responses and fears that the proposals would destroy fragile coastal communities that rely on fishing and aquaculture.
Three SNP MSPs including former Cabinet Secretaries Kate Forbes and Fergus Ewing voting against their party and three others abstained in a vote on the issue. The then Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan later announced that plans to deliver HPMAs by 2026 would “not be progressed” and that plans to deliver increased protection for Scotland’s marine environment would be revised, with a new pathway and timetable.
