Scotland's first Marine Economy Week set to launch

The marine economy’s huge contribution to the economy of the Highlands, Moray and Scotland as a whole will be the focus of the first ever Marine Economy Week (MEW), which runs from March 22-26.

MEW 2021, a free-to-attend virtual event, has been created by leading law firm Harper Macleod, whose specialists advise across the sector. At lunchtime sessions over five days, attendees will be joined by industry experts for a daily one-hour webinar on a particular topic.

Chris Kerr, head of the marine economy team at Harper Macleod, said: "We are delighted to present the inaugural MEW, and to have attracted such a strong line-up of speakers. The marine economy is fundamental to our future and we believe that it must be at the forefront of the agenda at the highest levels of policy and decision making.

"With the Highlands, Islands and Moray home to more than 60 per cent of the UK coastline, marine resources play into so many sectors, including food and drink, energy, tourism and more. It has a substantial effect on employment and sustainability but I believe that influence and the impact on our overall economy, directly and indirectly, is not always recognised.

"It is also a huge part of Scotland's natural capital – the collective natural resources we have as a nation – and managing the capital property will also play a large role in our efforts to tackle climate change and reach our net-zero carbon emission targets. Hopefully MEW will be able to highlight some key aspects of the modern marine economy and we'd love anyone with an interest to get involved."

Among the highlights of the week, the first day will see Chris Kerr joined by Morven Cameron of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to set out exactly the importance of the marine economy to Scotland. Ms Cameron led HIE's involvement in the influential MAXiMAR study which highlighted the economic potential of the marine economy for the region.

Tuesday's session will examine the innovation and technological advances which are driving the sector, and the commercial, regulatory and intellectual property challenges that flow from these.

Brexit will rear its head on the Wednesday, when the impact on trading will be considered, particularly for the food and drink sectors. Attendees will also get the view from Norway, with Trond Hatland, a Bergen-based specialist adviser to the fishery and aquaculture sector.

The international flavour will continue on Thursday as MEW turns to vessels and the commercial aspects affecting those who operate them. Mike Besjin of Dutch shipyards group Damen, will lend a European perspective to the discussions which will cover a range of ground including key issues in the current funding market and the flag/location of vessels.

MEW will end with a focus on an area of the marine economy where Scotland is world-leading – renewable energy. Jason Schofield, managing director of Orkney-based company Green Marine – a winner in the recent Highlands and Islands Renewable Energy Awards – will join Harper Macleod's renewables specialists to look at how Scotland can maximise its opportunity to be central to the much vaunted new greener economy.

To register for one or more sessions, or to find out more about this free event, please visit www.harpermacleod.co.uk/mew21 or contact events@harpermacleod.co.uk

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.