Happy young seafood worker holding up some of the day's catch

About the project

Aquatic foods tend to be left out of food policy in the UK. In Scotland, the Good Food Nation Act, which seeks to build better food systems for people and planet, offers us an opportunity to ensure Fish+ is part of policy development and implementation.

Overview

Seafood Scotland and Nourish Scotland have partnered to broaden and deepen consensus on how Fish+ can be meaningfully embedded in the Good Food Nation process. To do this we are setting up the Fish+ in a Good Food Nation Panel.

People

This panel will bring together up to 15 people from across the aquatic food system.

This includes small and large producers using different fishing methods, processors, retailers, coastal communities, health professionals, conservation NGOs, animal welfare and workers’ rights organisations. The panel will be co-chaired by academics Dr Ingrid Kelling and Dr Suzi Billing, who will support panellists to engage in constructive dialogue and work toward areas of consensus.

More about the panel

Process

The panel will explore three key questions:

How can we reconnect people in Scotland with fish+, making it a valued, proud and vibrant part of our lives?

In a Wellbeing Economy that respects people and the environment, what would fish+ look, feel and taste like?

What policies, practices and systemic changes are needed to enable long-term transformation in the fish+ sector?

The knowledge and experience of the panel members will be augmented by inviting expert witnesses to provide evidence to panel meetings, ensuring a robust and well-informed discussion. Panellists will meet monthly over a twelve-month period, through a mix of online meetings and site visits, and will also have opportunities to shape the panel’s work programme.

We will also be engaging with policy-makers throughout the process.

Outcomes

We envision this process leading to a roadmap towards Fish+ in a Good Food Nation.

We will launch the final report at the Scottish Parliament. We will also hold five in-person events across Scotland. These events will share the panel’s findings and create space for public reflection, with feedback from attendees captured in a final dissemination report.

Timeline

2025

  • JAN
  • FEB
  • MAR
  • APR
  • MAY
  • JUN
  • JUL

Phase 1

Setting up the panel

Jan – Jul 2025

  • Co-chair recruitment
  • Panellist recruitment
  • Program of work drafted and reviewed with panellists

  • AUG
  • SEP
  • OCT
  • NOV
  • DEC

2026

  • JAN
  • FEB
  • MAR
  • APR
  • MAY
  • JUN
  • JUL

Phase 2

Consensus building

Aug 2025 – Jul 2026

  • Launch event
  • Monthly meetings and site visits with expert witnesses giving evidence on different pre-agreed topics
  • Report written in tandem with evidence sessions
  • Halfway check-in to make any necessary changes to the programme of work

  • AUG
  • SEP
  • OCT
  • NOV
  • DEC

Phase 3

Dissemination

Aug – Dec 2026

  • Event in Scottish Parliament to present final report
  • 5 dissemination events across Scotland