Fishing chiefs put squeeze on Nats

THE SNP Government has been urged to hold its first fishing debate in almost three years before Easter amid fears over offshore wind schemes.

- Ben Borland

It comes after John Swinney was advised by officials not to use the term 'spatial squeeze' during talks with fishing industry leaders in Shetland last year. The term was first put forward by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) to describe the loss of fishing ground to other uses such as offshore wind farms and marine protected areas.

But a briefing note drawn up for the First Minister and obtained by Fishing News said: "If industry use language in relation to 'spatial squeeze', we suggest you do not mirror/repeat back that language.

"This is a narrative advanced by industry that we do not share, given the use of our shared marine space must be done in a way that delivers for the whole of Scotland, and balances across environmental, social and economic interests."