Commenting on the announcement that the Scottish Government has given the go-ahead to a major offshore wind farm development in the Outer Moray Firth, Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said:
“Obviously, we would much prefer it if there was no interference in the traditional activities of our fishing fleet in harvesting a sustainable and much valued food resource. However, accepting that such developments are going to happen over the coming years, it is absolutely essential that the fishing industry continues to be fully consulted during the complicated planning and licensing processes so that the impact of offshore renewables on fishing is mitigated to an acceptable degree.
“Furthermore, it is essential that the Scottish government helps us more broadly in assessing the cumulative displacement of established sustainable use across all planned new marine developments.”
Press release, March 20, 2014; Image: SFF (David Linkie)