Scottish Fishermen Urge Halt to Offshore Wind Farm Expansion

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has called for an immediate pause on the expansion of offshore wind farms, expressing concerns that the Scottish Government’s plans to install up to 40GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040 are excessively ambitious. The SFF argues that this expansion threatens to cause irreversible damage to the marine environment and could displace fishing fleets that have operated in these waters for generations.

This urgent appeal forms part of the SFF’s formal responses to two significant government consultations: the updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement and the draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy. The Scottish Government has outlined that offshore wind energy is central to meeting its net zero target by 2030, and it aims to generate numerous green jobs as part of a transition away from fossil fuels.

During a recent visit to the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) wind farm off the coast of Fife, First Minister John Swinney hailed offshore wind as “one of Scotland’s greatest modern success stories.” He emphasized that the development aligns with his Government’s priorities of fostering economic growth and addressing climate change. “NnG is a shining example of how these priorities can work hand-in-hand to reshape Scotland’s future for the better,” he remarked.

The UK Government has also shown support for the expansion of wind farms in Scotland. In March, it announced that the Port of Cromarty Firth would serve as a key hub for the UK’s floating offshore wind industry, allocating over £55 million for its development.

Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the SFF, expressed frustration with the government’s approach, stating, “This isn’t a plan – it’s a stampede.” She criticized the Government for moving forward without adequately considering the potential harm to the fishing industry and marine ecosystems. “We’ve been telling them for years these plans will seriously damage our industry, but they haven’t listened,” she added.

The SFF maintains that the current mitigation measures are insufficient and there is no credible strategy to compensate fishing businesses for anticipated losses due to the expansion. Macdonald pointed out that the Government’s updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement, released in June 2023, frequently highlighted economic benefits but overlooked the ongoing climate crisis.

“Fishing is one of Scotland’s original green industries,” Macdonald stated. “The Scottish fleet has been putting healthy, renewable and sustainable food on plates for generations. But we’re being shoved aside for projects that feel like a last gamble for a Government to revive an ailing Scottish economy.”

Industry leaders are alarmed by the cumulative impact of various marine conservation policies and renewable energy initiatives, which they believe are pushing the fishing sector to its limits. Macdonald emphasized, “The Scottish Government’s approach is picking winners and losers, and fishing seems to lose every time. We need ministers to step up and support our industry with positive action.”

She warned that prioritizing renewable energy over sustainable fishing practices poses significant risks. “Renewable food cannot be the price to be paid for renewable energy,” she stated, underscoring that relying heavily on offshore wind, which carries known and potential environmental damages, is a precarious strategy.

The Scottish Government has yet to provide a comment regarding the concerns raised by the SFF. As the debate over energy expansion continues, the fishing industry stands at a crossroads, grappling with the implications of shifting policies and their long-term effects on both the economy and the environment.