A PLEDGE to protect and support Scotland’s fishing industry and coastal communities has won the backing of several local MSPs at Holyrood.

Signatories to the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation’s (SFF) pledge include Neil Bibby, Paul O’Kane, Russell Findlay, Jamie Greene and Pam Gosal, who represent the West Scotland Holyrood region, which covers Inverclyde.

The agreement signed by the politicians calls for enhanced support of Scotland’s fishing communities and highlights fishing’s role in food security.

Greenock Telegraph: A pledge to protect and support Scotland’s fishing industry and coastal communities has won the

It also recognises the importance of protection against loss of access to key fishing grounds and ensuring that policies recognise and support fishing’s role in producing low carbon, healthy and nutritious food.

It has won signatures from over half of all backbench MSPs, as well as Anas Sarwar, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Douglas Ross, the Scottish party leaders of Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives respectively.

Greenock Telegraph: A pledge to protect and support Scotland’s fishing industry and coastal communities has won the

Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive with the SFF, said: “It has been heartening to see so many MSPs and their teams engage very positively with us over the last few days.

“Given Scotland’s geography, many have coastal fishing communities within their constituencies and know first hand of the pressures that they – and the industry as a whole – has been under in recent years.

“It was great also to have MSPs from more urban and inland parts of Scotland recognise the importance of our sector, and to give us their support.”

The backing comes as the sector is represented by a moving exhibition featuring portraits and accounts of those working in and around fishing, including vessel owners, skippers, deckhands, scientists and analysts.

Pride in the Seas is an exhibition and campaign run by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) in partnership with renowned photographer Ian Georgeson and was held in the Garden Lobby at Holyrood between 19 and 21 March.