Fishing organisations have warned that the UK Government’s plans to ramp up subsidy support for offshore windfarms could put the livelihoods of Scots fishermen at risk.
Both the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), which represents fishermen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, have hit out at the government’s decision to give more subsidy support to offshore windfarms than those onshore.
“We look at this news with considerable anxiety, indicating as it does that offshore wind is somehow regarded as the preferred option,” said SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong yesterday.
“It may be in inshore areas where significant parts of this new wind development will in the end be placed, which creates the very real likelihood of displacing local fishing activity.”
He warned that any new inshore windfarm developments, in addition to those already planned farther offshore, had the potential to affect the livelihoods of many across the industry and its infrastructure.
“Balance in the future planning process will be essential if sustainable harvesting of another renewable resource – seafood – is to be properly maintained,” Mr Armstrong added.
The NFFO called for more co-operation with the industry at the planning stages of offshore windfarm developments to avoid destruction of prime fishing grounds.
Scottish Renewables director of policy Jenny Hogan said Scotland’s offshore wind industry had a huge role to play in meeting renewables and carbon-reduction targets, delivering £164.5million to the Scottish economy last year.
“Both the offshore wind industry and the fishing industry have already been engaging closely to understand the needs of both sectors and find ways to coexist in our seas for the benefit of Scotland,” she said.
“Offshore wind developers must adhere to strict planning guidelines, working closely with Marine Scotland to ensure that only the most suitable sites are developed.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the government was committed to the sustainable development of an offshore renewable energy industry, which brings benefit to the communities of Scotland.
“We welcome the continued efforts of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation in engaging with the overall system for marine planning around Scotland and specifically with the planning and consenting processes for offshore renewable energy,” she said.