RECENT figures show that the majority of people living in South Scotland support a moratorium on further offshore wind development until the impacts on fishermen are fully assessed and compensation arrangements are agreed.
A new poll carried out on behalf of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) found that 61 per cent of people living in South Scotland agree that the Scottish Government should place a temporary pause on approving new offshore wind developments.
The SFF has been forthright in calling for a moratorium on future offshore wind development and has urged candidates in May’s Scottish parliamentary election to sign its pledge supporting such a move.
The company says the findings underline growing public concern about the cumulative impact of offshore renewables expansion on Scotland’s fishing industry.
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.
“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."
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