Call to pause wind farms to assess fishing impact – Daily Business

Elspeth Macdonald: clear message

Further offshore wind development should be paused until the impact on fishermen is fully assessed and compensation arrangements agreed, according to new polling.

A survey for the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation by Opinion Matters found that 71% of those living in the Highlands and Islands want a temporary moratorium.

The findings underline growing public concern about the cumulative impact of offshore renewables expansion on Scotland’s fishing industry, known as the spatial squeeze.

The SFF has called candidates the Scottish parliamentary election to sign its pledge supporting such a moratorium.

Nine in respondents (91%) to the Opinion Matters survey agree that Scotland’s fishing fleet should be more broadly protected, including 60% who strongly agree. Nobody disagreed.

The results demonstrate broad public recognition of the fleet’s importance at a time when offshore wind and other renewable developments are expanding rapidly across Scotland’s seas.

Scots further believe that where offshore wind developments cause harm to fishing operations, energy companies must take responsibility.

Almost eight in 10 respondents (78%) agree that energy companies should be required to pay fair compensation if offshore wind developments restrict access to fishing grounds or cause financial loss to fishermen. Nealy half (47%) strongly agree. Only 7% disagree. 

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said: “Taken together, these findings send a clear message: the Scottish public supports renewable energy, but not at the expense of Scotland’s fishing fleet or without proper safeguards in place.

“With two-thirds of voters backing a temporary pause on further offshore wind approvals, more than eight in 10 calling for protection of the fleet, and strong support for mandatory compensation where harm occurs, Scots expect policymakers to strike a fair balance between energy development and food security.

“Whoever forms the next Scottish Government must take these strong opinions into account before the fishing industry is squeezed out of legitimate and long-established fishing grounds forever.”

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters between 22 and 26 January 2026 among a sample of 1,000 nationally representative adults in Scotland aged 18+. Opinion Matters abides by the Market Research Society Code of Conduct, follows ESOMAR principles and is a member of the British Polling Council.

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