Andrew Innes
"Fishers were going to sea long before oil and gas and long before offshore wind, and God willing will be there long after they have gone."
Location: Peterhead
Job: Industry Advisor for Scottish Fishermen's Federation / Part-time Fisherman
Vessel: Virtue
Andrew Innes has spent 30 years at sea, following in the wake of generations of fishermen on his mother's side. When Andrew bought his first vessel in 2006, he honoured that legacy by naming it Daisy after their boats. "It was an achievement and a very proud moment," he recalls.
Now 47, Andrew has added a new dimension to his career. Two years ago, he took on a role as Industry Advisor for the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, where he works to safeguard fishing interests in policy decisions. "I want to help protect fishers' interests and be able to give back something to the industry that has provided for me and my family going back generations," he explains.
The biggest threats to fishing, as Andrew sees them, are clear: "Offshore wind, accelerated decommissioning of oil and gas, Marine Protected Areas, public misconception of fishing practices, and attracting new entrants to the industry. Fluctuating fuel prices alongside having no control over the price received for a catch, adds to the challenges.”
The spatial squeeze concerns him most. "In Scotland we have many developments in the consent and planning stage, but in the next five years if these are consented, the available sea space for fishers will be squeezed to a point which may not allow fishing to be viable," he warns.
Andrew's advocacy work has seen some success. "Recently, the SFF launched Horizon Watch, a platform allowing offshore wind developers to share proposed export cable routes and receive fishing industry feedback before finalising corridors. "This should help minimize disruption to both industries," he explains.
The explosion of offshore wind development especially worries him. "We do not know the effects these will have on marine life. Government and policy makers should hit pause until studies have been conducted to determine the effects, rather than just bulldozing ahead."
"The fishing industry is one that should be promoted and championed, not one that is seen as a way to gain votes before an election," he says. "It requires a work ethic akin to no other industry. The skills fishers have today must be passed on to the next generation, so we can ensure we continue to provide the world-renowned seafood that Scotland is famous for."
His hope is simple: "The sea is a big enough space that we can all share, but only if it is done correctly. Historic fishing grounds should not be assigned to the rapid expansion of offshore wind. Allow industry input to site these outside areas of fishing concern."
