THE silver darlings have arrived. See them shining, iridescent and sweet-smelling, expertly gutted and butterflied on James Dickson’s marble slab, ready to grill.

Nothing represents the heritage of our fishing communities more than the humble herring.

Once a vast industry, thousands of drifters, fishing from the north of Scotland right down the east coast, landed the herring in record time; the quines (WAGs in modern parlance), meanwhile, left their family homes and followed the fishermen to be ready at the next catch to prepare and salt the fish for markets across the northern hemisphere.

East Lothian survived and thrived on the way of life, from Fisherrow to Morrison’s Haven, from Cockenzie to Dunbar.

The sea is a hazardous environment. Our harbours and graveyards all have memorials remembering those who sailed and never returned. The fisher families know only too well the impact of current headlines of losses at sea, from boat people drowning in their thousands to rich explorers spectacularly risking everything for a new thrill.

The lure of maritime adventure and the associated dangers are well appreciated by generations of fishermen, albeit fewer in numbers today, but still experts in their profession, the North Sea and our shoreline.

The catches they land are different. Lobsters and prawns, squid and halibut are now a highlight, creating a tourism draw that is invaluable to our towns.

Their strength of pride and community, their knowledge of the sea and determination to preserve their livelihoods and heritage is no less than their forebears.

In this unique period of change, their vital contribution to our food supply and environment is as important for our economy as it is for our future survival.

Politicians who propose to meddle and change the precarious coastal ecosystem should do so with caution.

The fisher communities must always be consulted, listened to and protected.

The peril for them today is not so much the ever-changing sea and weather but from well-meaning folk in power, safely behind desks, who will not be around in the future to fix anything they might break today.