Landward Season 1 Episode 9 Episode 9

Landward is a Scottish television series that follows the stories and issues concerning the rural communities of Scotland. The show delves into topics such as agriculture, conservation, wildlife, and food and drink. In episode 9 of season 1, the focus is on the plight of the Scottish fishing industry.

The episode starts with reporter, Dougie Vipond, meeting up with fishermen in the port town of Fraserburgh. Vipond wants to know how the fishermen are coping with the recent changes to the fishing quota system. He learns that the fishermen are finding it increasingly hard to survive since the introduction of the quotas.

The quota system assigns limits to the amount of fish that the boats can catch and land. If they exceed their quota, they are docked points which can lead to the boats being banned from fishing for a period of time. The quota system was put in place to prevent overfishing and depletion of fish stocks, but this is having a negative effect on smaller fishing communities who find it hard to keep up with the larger boats.

Vipond then visits a local fishing auction to understand how the quotas are affecting the prices of the fish. He learns that since the quotas were introduced, the prices of fish have gone up by 20%. This is because the supply of fish has decreased, but demand remains high. At the auction house, Vipond also sees how important the fishing industry is to the local communities, as many people rely on it to make a living.

The episode then moves to the issue of plastic waste in the seas surrounding Scotland. Vipond meets with a charity group called Fidra, who have been working to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the sea. They explain to Vipond that the fishing industry is not blameless as they use a lot of plastic in their nets and gear. They hope to work with the industry to find alternatives to plastic.

Next, Vipond goes out to sea with a local fisherman to see how the fishing industry is adapting to the changing times. They meet with Councillor Charles Buchan, who has been working on a project to diversify the fishing fleets. He explains that they are now looking at promoting other types of fishing in addition to traditional methods. For example, they are promoting shellfish farming, which has proven to be a profitable and more sustainable alternative for some communities.

The episode ends on a positive note, as Vipond meets with an innovative company called Aquascot. They are an independent fish supplier who are working on sustainable seafood production. They use sustainable and organic methods in their aquafarms to produce fish with minimal impact on the environment. This is just one example of how sustainable fishing practices can provide a way forward for the industry.

In conclusion, episode 9 of Landward season 1 brings attention to the difficulties Scottish fishing communities are facing in the wake of the fishing quota system. However, it also highlights how communities are coming together to adapt and find sustainable solutions to ensure the survival of this vital industry. The episode also raises awareness about plastic waste in the sea and the role that the fishing industry can play in reducing its impact. It's an informative and thought-provoking episode that showcases Scotland's beautiful coastal communities and the challenges they face.