Two Peterhead fishermen are helping shape the future of Scotland's fishing industry both at sea and from the shore, as part of a powerful new campaign showcasing coastal voices.
Andrew Innes, 47, and David Watson, in his early 30s, both feature in the newly launched Pride in the Seas 2 exhibition - a national initiative spearheaded by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) to showcase the people behind Scotland's fishing sector.
The SFF launched the initiative at the Scottish Parliament this week, 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.
Andrew has spent three decades at sea, following in the wake of generations of fishermen on his mother's side. When he bought his first vessel in 2006, he named it Daisy in honour of his family boats that came before. Two years ago, he added a new dimension to his career by taking on a role as Industry Advisor for the SFF, working to safeguard fishing interests in policy decisions while continuing to fish part-time.
Andrew Innes
Andrew said: "I want to help protect fishers' interests and be able to give back something to the industry that has provided for me and my family going back generations.
"Fishers were going to sea long before oil and gas and long before offshore wind, and God willing will be there long after they have gone."
David Watson, a fourth-generation fisherman with two decades at sea, eight years spent as a skipper, now runs the FV Boy Enzo - a 19-metre twin-rig trawler named after his eldest son. His journey began at 15 when he left school to join prawn trawlers in Eyemouth, before moving to Peterhead and working his way up through various whitefish vessels.
David Watson
David said: "I was 15 when I left school and joined the boats. At first I was just keen to earn, but I soon realised I loved it."
After studying at the Peterhead Maritime Academy in 2017, David achieved his goal of becoming a shareholder in his own vessel. The Boy Enzo works in nephrops and whitefish, carrying a crew of six, with David's wife Shannon handling shore-based administration while raising their two young sons.
Like Andrew, David has stepped into industry leadership, joining Aberdeen Fish Producers Organisation as a director in 2023 to better understand the science and policy shaping the sector.
He added: "I wanted to learn what happens behind the scenes – how quotas are set, how science influences the numbers.”
Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “Andrew embodies the deep connection between past and present in our fishing communities. His dual role at sea and in policy, means he brings lived experience to every conversation about the industry's future. David’s story shows his determination to carve out a career in fishing and how he has succeeded in building his business.”
“The Pride in the Seas 2 campaign aims to bring those working in our industry to the forefront, giving recognition to the generations of skill, stewardship and resilience that characterise fishing communities across Scotland, and why we need to support Scotland’s fishermen not just for today, but also for the future.”
Despite the challenges, Andrew remains hopeful for the industry's future, emphasising that Scotland's waters are large enough to share if done correctly.
Following its Parliament debut, the exhibition is planned to make its way across Scotland throughout 2026, bringing Andrew’s and David’s stories, 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.
The full exhibition and case studies are now available to view on the SFF website: https://www.sff.co.uk/news