Highlands Residents Back Moratorium on Offshore Wind Developments
Photo by Nicholas Doherty - Unsplash
A significant majority of residents in the Highlands and Islands support a temporary halt on new offshore wind developments until the effects on fishermen are thoroughly evaluated and compensation measures are established. This is according to a recent poll conducted for the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.
The survey, carried out by Opinion Matters, involved 1,000 adults across Scotland and revealed that 71% of participants from the Highlands and Islands advocate for the Scottish Government to impose a moratorium on new offshore wind projects. Notably, around 40% of respondents expressed strong agreement with this stance, while only 11% opposed it.
The results highlight increasing public concern regarding the cumulative effects of expanding offshore renewable energy on Scotland’s fishing industry, a phenomenon referred to as spatial squeeze. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has been vocal in its demand for a moratorium and has called on candidates in the upcoming Scottish parliamentary election to endorse its pledge supporting this initiative.
Moreover, the survey indicates that the Scottish public is largely supportive of the fishing industry, with many indicating they would be more inclined to vote for political parties that explicitly support it. When asked about their voting preferences in relation to party commitments to safeguard Scotland’s fishing industry amid offshore wind development, 60% of respondents stated they would be more likely to support such parties, with 27% indicating they would be much more likely to do so. Only 4% said they would be less likely to support these parties.
The polling also shows overwhelming support for the protection of Scotland’s fishing fleet as competition for marine space escalates. An impressive 91% of respondents believe that the fishing fleet should be safeguarded, including 60% who strongly agree, with no respondents expressing disagreement.
As offshore wind and other renewable projects proliferate across Scotland’s waters, public sentiment underscores the importance of the fishing fleet. Respondents also believe that energy companies should be held accountable for any adverse effects on fishing operations caused by offshore wind developments. Approximately 78% of those surveyed agree that these companies should provide fair compensation if access to fishing grounds is restricted or if financial losses occur, with nearly half (47%) strongly supporting this view. Only 7% disagreed.
Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, commented: “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 22nd and 26th January 2026, involving a sample of 1,000 nationally representative adults in Scotland aged 18 and over. Opinion Matters adheres to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct, follows ESOMAR principles, and is a member of the British Polling Council.
