The photo here shows Ian Gatt, the chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA), along with wife Louise at the investiture for his CBE at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh (4 March).

He was made a CBE in last year’s King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his wide and varied work within the Scottish fishing industry.

After retiring as a fishing skipper in 2010, Ian has undertaken several influential positions representing the Scottish fishing industry, including his present role with the SPFA. He has been President of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) during two terms, spanning 10 years, representing the interests of SFF constituent members from Shetland to the Borders.

Ian is chairman of the Scottish Fishermen’s Trust, a charity established by the SFF to support projects that benefits the fishing industry and the wider marine environment. He is also a recently retired deputy chairman of the Fishermen’s Mission – a national charity dedicated to supporting fishermen and their families, and is chairman of the Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group.

Ian comes from a fishing family in the village of Gardenstown on the Moray Firth. His grandmother on his mother’s side was one of the herring gutting ‘quines’ (women) that followed the seasonal herring fishery round the country.

His family moved to Macduff when he was young, with Ian being educated at Banff Academy.  He lived and worked in the area until 2005 when he moved to Inverurie.

Following the presentation of his CBE by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal – Anne, Ian said: “It has been a huge honour to receive this CBE, which provides recognition of the importance of fishing to Scotland and the many communities it supports.

“Fishing is a vital element to our national food supply, providing a nutritious, low carbon impact and sustainable product that our hard-working fishermen risk their lives for on a daily basis to put on our plates.”

Also attending the event was former Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon – The Lord Chamberlain, who made the announcements.