If Scotland became independant, what would Shetland do?

Just look at Lerwick harbour and the seas not even 10 miles from our coast to see what's happening to our fisheries.

Lerwick harbour is full of Irish, scots and yes, even Norwegian boats. They're all grabbbing what they can from our fish stocks. Whether it's done legally or not.

Go onto AIS Liverpool or Marine Traffic and you will see at least three gigantic fish catching and processing vessels fishing night and day within 10-20 miles of our coast. They fish relentlessly day and night for weeks at a time until full, then go to unload and within days are back.

If you look just now you'll see them in a cluster 15 miles north west of Foula. Infact, based on their previous positions I'm surprised they're so far out to sea.....

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/

"ANNELIES ILENA", "JAN MARIA" or "MAARTJE THEADORA".

Whether it's Scots, Irish, German, Dutch or Norwegian boats that's all fish that a Shetland fleet could be, and would be catching if we had control of our seas. I'll bet you that one of those super trawlers catches more fish in one year than the entire Shetland white fish fleet.

@ ShetlandPeat, the end of the road is that the our fishing fleet and industry has been all but wiped out - and eventually will be, we get little more than crumbs from our own table from the oil and gas, the EU is throttling what life is left out of the crofting sector, the SIC is facing financial ruin unless it saves £26 million and we're clutching at straws thinking Viking Energy and Vattenfall will save the day.

Firstly, I wouldn't let anyone go to University who couldn't at least master the basics of grammar and spelling.

Secondly, if they did manage to get into University and post the above question, I'd be wondering if this was a roundabout way of gathering information and views in a manner probably in breach of said University's Ethics Code for some research purposes (because if not, why the necessity to advise that they are/were at University?)

Thirdly, I'd be hoping that if Shetland opted for independence that measures would be in place to protect certain couch squatters from eviction.

SP, what a load of twaddle. Look at what Venezuela achieved; they told the oil companies to basically F orf and reclaimed the nation's oil. You only have to look at the situation in Libya to see how a country can register for independence - oops, I do believe I mentioned this a while back re Captain Calamity.

Shetlink seems to be having server troubles, double post deleted

It all is, as you say twaddle, as you are comparing unlike for unlike and the whole independence seems to rely on the hope that Shetland gets full rights to the oil fields.

The Libyan comparison, perhaps up to 30,000 dead for that to happen, I have a sneaky suspicion none of you will go that far. Yup, if you have a civil war. I would like to see you start one. Now that, is a non starter. There would be no one left. Who would be your allies?

You have little idea of the view of Shetland I have, it sure ain't represented here, not one jot.

Where do the large Shetland boats fish, South American waters? Fishing is traditional, all over the world. Shetland boats fish all over the world too. Your thoughts could damage that.

To say that the council is bankrupt over 26 million is folly, with all the reserves, Shetland is not potless. Inflammatory reporting is booming.

If Shetland went to the level of services expected in some inner-city then you may know what the value of the services you have.

The power system you all complain about. The expectations are far too high for something as old as the Shetland Grid and it should be upgraded, as with the telephonic network. There will be no profit made replacing all your old overheads. The battery. A 3 million pound albatross at the moment, too dangerous to energise. So close to the main fuel store as well.

If the person who owns this forum site and license said they could, then they can.

It is no longer yours to control.

Any how, this is all theoretical, ideas and scenarios thrown into a pot.

Mind, some do need to get a wiggle on if they want this, not gonna happen from here, is it. Perhaps if there were 7 names on the ballot, it could have started there. Ah well, all talk.

Anyhow, back on topic, the answer to the question is, nothing. Shetland are part of Scotland, regardless of the comments that Shetland and Orkney were still owned by a foreign King or Queen (depending on length of discussion). Mind, they could break from Scotland and stay with the remains of the UK.

Just a funny thought, there are more Scottish born MPs in Westminster than there are SNP in Westminster.

The UK as a nation has invested in damn little here, and for the most part it costs them to maintain it.

Err...

The UK as a nation has invested in damn little here, and for the most part it costs them to maintain it.

 

Err...

....and....

The UK as a nation has invested in damn little here, and for the most part it costs them to maintain it.

 

Err...

 

....and....

Or.

the UK as a nation has invested in damn little here, and for the most part it costs them Nothing to maintain it.

God help everyone if the twits in our Town Hall get to run Shetland them selves.

If VE is anything to go by! Just imagine how they could use all the oil money from the oil industry.

To invest in there pet little projects. And at no expense of there own.To bank roll there own bank accounts

Firstly, I wouldn't let anyone go to University who couldn't at least master the basics of grammar and spelling.

 

Secondly, if they did manage to get into University and post the above question, I'd be wondering if this was a roundabout way of gathering information and views in a manner probably in breach of said University's Ethics Code for some research purposes (because if not, why the necessity to advise that they are/were at University?)

Firstly, i would be the first to admit my spelling and grammar is terrible but luckily for me i do engineering so i play with numbers most of the time.

Secondly, I asked this out of interest as the metro this past week contained numerous headlines about independence and if it would work etc and one person mentioned Shetland and as it did not vote SNP what would it do?

So I asked this question as down here it’s a big issue where as at home it appears less so and just wondered that people were thinking.

I hoped by saying I was a student and referring to Shetlanders as “we†you would realise that I was not some researcher and during my time away I have realised how big the debate going on south is and how it never really seemed to come up back home hence the uni reference.

is that a good enough answer for you unlinkedstudent? or have you got anything else irrelevant to moan about?

What about Shetland becoming some type of Overseas Territory to the UK like Gibraltar? it has its own parliment (how much power it has i dont know).

but then again that could just mean a more powerful SIC and i dunno if any of us want that

Hmm, no thanks. I think we should dispense with the UK asap. They've done sod all for Shetland and have frankly neglected and taken Shetland for granted for decades.

What needs to happen in Shetland as a first step is a united voice that something has to change and we need to do something about it.

Many do not understand the role of councils. Happy to spout though.

The overseas territory is an interesting subject, I am trying to think if Gibraltar has any natural resources and are they in control of 200 miles of sea around them or agreed lines.

Shetland may get that and not the sea beds.

What needs to happen in Shetland as a first step is a united voice that something has to change and we need to do something about it.

Kavi, you had a chance, you can start it again in 2012 by standing, and getting like minded folk to stand. That will be the only way you will know for sure if The rest of the folk of Shetland want that too. You have the power, you are obviously passionate about it, have a go. Test the water.

You could be able to force everyone to build painted wooden houses if you included it in your promise. All revolutions start with a thought, you have that though, be bold enough to run with it.

I was lucky enough to attend the Taking Shetland out of the box conference at Shetland museum a couple of years ago.

Among the many discussion topics was that of indpendance of small island nations. I was greatly heartened by the presentations and discussions around this issue by attendees form many autonomous island regions, including, Aland, Faroe, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

It was perhaps the comments made by the leader of the faroses opposition party that struck a cord.

He said that moves towards independence had:

Not been easy

Had always generated a huge amount of public debate

Had thus far been incremental

that every step they had taken so far along the independence road had proved to be successful.

There are many forms of Autonomy and status such as Crown dependancies.

I think perhaps it is time that we start taking this idea much more seriously and possibly take a leaf from the faroese book and start moving towards a more autonomous state where e.g. our fishermen cannot be forced out of business by unelected officials in Europe.

I am sure that our friends in other small autonomous island groups would not hesitate to return here again to give us the benefit of the experiences to help us in guiding our decisions

Even if we could get an open consensus in Shetland that things have to change(which I suspect many already feel) then maybe the next SIC council whatever make-up it is will start the ball rolling.

Sandy Cluness suggests in his Shetland Life article that we could stay with the "UK" if Scotland votes for independance but for me that's a non-starter.

Even a reformed Shetland Movement would be better than nothing.