Scotland’s fishing industry is sounding the alarm, warning that without immediate and drastic changes to government policies, the sector could be “crushed.” The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has raised serious concerns over the future of the industry, citing risks to jobs and the livelihoods of hundreds of skippers and crew members across the country.
Offshore Wind Power Threatens the Future of Fishing
One of the primary issues highlighted by the SFF is the rapid expansion of offshore wind power. While the transition to green energy is necessary to combat climate change, industry leaders argue that the fishing sector is being left behind in this shift. The SFF’s chief executive, Elspeth Macdonald, expressed fears that the growing offshore wind farms, particularly floating wind farms, are encroaching on vital fishing grounds.
“All our futures depend on shifting from an energy system based on fossil fuels to one that has less impact on global climate,” Macdonald said. “But the ‘windrush’ – the planned expansion of offshore wind in our seas – is not proving to be a just transition for our fishing industry.”
The concerns stem from the fact that large-scale wind farms could disrupt fishing zones, limit access to productive waters, and create new obstacles for fishermen trying to maintain their livelihoods. The SFF is calling on both the UK and Scottish governments to take responsibility and ensure that the fishing industry isn’t sacrificed in the transition to renewable energy.
Post-Brexit Fishing Arrangements Under Scrutiny
In addition to concerns about green energy, the SFF also warned about the post-Brexit fishing arrangements between the UK and the EU. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), signed in 2021, established the terms for free trade in goods and access to UK fisheries. However, the SFF claims that the EU’s demands for more access to UK waters are unreasonable.
Macdonald emphasized that UK fishing waters should not be used as leverage in negotiations with Europe. “If the EU wants revised arrangements on access to our waters after the adjustment period, then that must be fully paid for in quota shares,” she said. The SFF fears that unless fair compensation is secured, the industry will continue to face unfair pressures.
Fishing Industry Faces Uncertainty Post-Brexit
The post-Brexit landscape for fishing has already seen major changes. Under the TCA, EU boats can still fish in UK waters, but UK vessels now have greater access to UK fisheries. This shift in fishing rights is being phased in over several years, with annual negotiations set to begin in 2026 to determine how the catch is shared between the UK and EU.
After 2026, there is also the possibility that the UK government could restrict EU vessels from fishing in UK waters. However, such a move could lead to retaliatory measures from the EU, including taxes on UK fish exports or restrictions on UK boats in EU waters.
Government Responses and Next Steps
Both the Scottish and UK governments have expressed their commitment to supporting the fishing industry, but they acknowledge the need to balance this with the growth of offshore renewable energy. A spokesperson for the Scottish government stated that they fully understand the importance of investing in both the fishing and renewable energy sectors and pledged to continue working closely with the fishing industry to ensure the best possible outcome.
“We fully understand the need to balance the growth of the offshore renewables sector with continued investment in Scotland’s fisheries, seafood, and wider marine sectors and the communities and jobs which rely on them,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to engage closely with the fishing industry as key partners in developing those plans.”
As tensions rise between fishing communities and the push for renewable energy, the future of Scotland’s fishing industry remains uncertain. With both green energy expansion and post-Brexit fishing rights on the table, the pressure is on governments to find a solution that ensures the survival of Scotland’s vital fishing sector.