Scottish fishermen warn industry at risk of being ‘crushed’

Scotland’s fishing sector is at risk of being “crushed” unless governments radically rethink their approach, an industry group has warned.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has announced a series of concerns it says could put the jobs of hundreds of skippers and crew in jeopardy.

The organisation said it was concerned about the expansion of offshore wind power, a lack of compensation for the industry and a resetting of relationships with the EU.

Both the UK and Scottish governments have said they understand the challenges and are committed to supporting the industry.

But SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said the fishing sector must not become a casualty of the transition to green energy.

She said: “All our futures depend on shifting from an energy system based on fossil fuels to one that has less impact on global climate.

“But the ‘windrush’ – the planned expansion of offshore wind in our seas – floating offshore wind in particular – going ever-further and faster, is not proving to be a just transition for our fishing industry.

“We call on governments to step up to their responsibilities and live up to their commitments of a just transition – hollow words are not enough.”

The SFF also said “completely unreasonable” demands were being made by under the post-Brexit Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) with the EU.

The deal made in 2021 outlines the free trade in goods as well as agreements on access to UK fisheries.

Ms Macdonald said access to UK fishing waters must not be used as a bargaining chip in resetting relationships with Europe.

She added: “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.”

What are the post-Brexit rules on fishing?

• EU boats can continue to fish in UK waters, but UK boats will get a greater share of the fish from UK waters.
• That shift in share has been phased in since the Trade and Co-operation Agreement in 2021.
• After 2026 there will be annual negotiations to decide how the catch is shared out between the UK and EU.
• The UK would have the right to exclude EU boats, but the EU could respond with taxes on UK fish exports or denying boats access to EU waters.

While negotiations around EU rights and quotas are reserved to the UK government, management of fisheries is devolved to Holyrood.

The Scottish government said it would always seek to secure the “best possible outcome” for access to fisheries.

A spokesperson said: “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.

“We will need to make the right choices about how we develop and use Scotland’s marine space sustainably.

“We will continue to engage closely with the fishing industry, as key partners, in developing those plans.”