I’M constantly reminded of the simple yet profound pride found in our local produce in my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast. This year, I’m setting my sights on a cause deeply significant to our community: a campaign to champion locally landed fish.

This initiative goes beyond just a culinary choice. It is about nurturing our identity as a fishing nation, bolstering our economy and caring for our environment.

We live on an island in which we are blessed with a bounty from the sea that’s not just a source of sustenance but also a pillar of our national economy and our deeply ingrained culture.

It’s high time we talked more about it, celebrated it, and especially ate it – particularly when it comes to abundantly landed fish such as mackerel and herring.

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I’m going all in this year behind a campaign that will not just benefit our people but also our environment and our economy. By emphasising the importance of eating local we can make headway in all aspects of what it means to be a good food nation.

Take the upcoming Taste of Buchan event, a creative venture led by Peterhead Academy pupils alongside Visit Aberdeenshire. It will not just showcase local food and drink businesses but also promote and celebrate the best we have to offer locally, nationally, and globally.

Taking place on February 29, it is about sharing the journey of our local produce from the sea to our plates, farm to fork, and grain to glass and recognising the crucial role these businesses play in our everyday lives.

The National: Peterhead fish market

It’s a brilliant concept, bringing together businesses and the public. As well as a chance to taste good food, it is about connecting people with the producers and their stories, and understanding where our food comes from.

As well as tasting wonderful, mackerel and herring stand out as nutritional gems from the sea.

These fish are incredibly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining heart health. Regular consumption of these fatty acids is linked to reduced risks of heart disease and stroke. They also play a vital role in brain function and may aid in the prevention of mental decline as we age.

Moreover, mackerel and herring are excellent sources of protein, vital for building and repairing tissues in our body, and they’re also packed with vitamins and minerals.

These include vitamin D, crucial for bone health and immune system support, and vitamin B12, essential for blood formation and brain health. Their high content of selenium, an important antioxidant, helps protect our cells from damage.

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Incorporating mackerel and herring into our diets is a stride towards better health as well as a step towards supporting our local economy. Their rich nutrient profile advocates for their regular inclusion in our meals, making them a smart, health-conscious choice for our country.

Choosing these locally landed and processed fish also significantly lowers our food’s carbon footprint. By buying locally sourced food, we significantly reduce the “food miles” associated with our meals. “Food miles” refers to the distance food items travel from where they are produced to where they are consumed – by cutting down these miles, we reduce carbon emissions and pollution.

Local sourcing often implies less packaging and processing, further diminishing the environmental impact. Short transit distances can eliminate the need for extensive preservation processes, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint.

Additionally, local fisheries such as those in our regions tend to use more sustainable fishing practices compared to larger, industrial operations, maintaining the balance of our marine ecosystems and also ensuring the seafood supply remains abundant for future generations.

By eating locally sourced food, we’re not just enjoying fresh, delicious meals, we’re actively participating in a sustainable lifestyle that supports the health of our planet. It’s a simple yet powerful way of making environmentally conscious choices that also celebrate and uplift our community’s resources.

The big picture

Buying and eating local fish ties into a bigger picture too. In today’s world, where global events affect food security, choosing local is a smart move. It’s about knowing that in times of international uncertainty, we have a self-sustaining supply of nutritious food. Just look back over the last eight years, from Brexit to a pandemic and straight into wars affecting our energy and trade.

As I think about this from a Scottish independence perspective, it all adds up. Our local resources, such as the fish caught in our waters, are not just commodities, they’re part of our identity and resilience.

In an independent Scotland, harnessing these resources wisely and sustainably could play a key role in our nation’s health and prosperity. Peterhead Port set a new record for annual fish landings last year, with £226 million worth of catches traded across the quaysides by the end of November. That’s a big deal for our economy.

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Let’s explore the tastes our seas offer, support our fisherfolk, and take pride in our Scottish produce. It’s a small step but it takes us closer to a sustainable, self-reliant future.

As we champion our local fish, we’re not only advocating for the present but laying the foundations for a future where our country thrives on sustainability, health and self-empowerment.

Let’s join in celebrating the natural bounty of Scotland, making conscious choices to support our local businesses and thus contributing to a sustainable future independent Scotland.