New national campaign highlights voices from Scotland’s fishing communities
A new national campaign is shining a light on the people at the heart of Scotland’s fishing industry, with one Fraserburgh fisherman stepping into the spotlight to share his story.
Ally West, 38, is among a series of coastal voices featured in the newly launched Pride in the Seas 2 exhibition, which showcases those at the helm of Scotland’s fishing sector, from deckhands to analysts.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) launched the initiative at the Scottish Parliament, where politicians and industry leaders gathered to unveil the second phase of the campaign, aimed at celebrating the pride, skill and resilience of fishing communities.
As co-skipper of the Audacious, a whitefish vessel operating out of Fraserburgh, Ally is helping bring visibility to the real lives behind the profession, marking a continuation of a career that began at just 15 years old.
He said: “For coastal communities, fishing is everything. If Fraserburgh didn’t have a fishing industry, it would be a ghost town.”
Ally, who comes from a long line of fishermen, worked his way up from his early days onboard boats to co-skippering a state-of-the-art vessel equipped for the modern demands of the sector. Today, he co-skippers the 69.8 metre Resolute, a pelagic vessel, alongside his first cousin Matthew West.
He added: “Going from two boats to one wasn’t a decision made quickly, but it was the right one. Building boats is so expensive now, we’d never have managed to continue with two.
“Watching fish coming onboard provides a lot of job satisfaction. Not just for Matthew and I as skippers, but for the crew as well. Running a pelagic vessel requires good teamwork and when everyone pulls together and we are on our way in with a good shot aboard, there’s a great sense of achievement.”
Ally’s story forms part of a broader exhibition which features photography by award-winning photographer Ian Georgeson and includes voices from every part of the coast – from Shetland to the Borders.
Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “The Pride in the Seas 2 exhibition captures the faces and voices that make our industry so special.
“Ally’s story exemplifies the drive and integrity we see every day in our coastal communities. These are people deeply connected to the sea, and their work deserves recognition.”
The exhibition, which debuted at Holyrood earlier this month, highlights the day-to-day reality of life in coastal Scotland while also calling for political support through a refreshed pledge that champions sustainable and pragmatic fisheries management.
Elspeth added: “This campaign is about more than celebration, it’s a call to ensure our coastal communities are heard and supported. Ally’s story is just one of many that show the commitment and care that define our sector, and why we need to support Scotland’s fishermen not just for Today, but also for the future.”
Following its Parliament debut, the exhibition is planned to make its way across Scotland throughout 2025, bringing Ally’s story, and others like his, closer to home.
Now in its 53rd year, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation represents the interests of Scotland’s fishing fleet and continues to advocate for practical policies that safeguard the future of the industry and those who work in it.
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To learn more about the exhibition and to view Ally’s full story, visit: https://www.sff.co.uk/news/ally-west
The full exhibition and case studies are now available to view on the SFF website: https://www.sff.co.uk/news
