A clear majority of Scots support a moratorium on further offshore wind development until the impacts on fishermen are fully assessed and compensation arrangements are agreed, according to new polling carried out on behalf of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.
The nationally representative survey of 1,000 adults across Scotland by Opinion Matters found that 71% of those living in the Highlands and Islands agree that the Scottish Government should place a temporary pause on approving new offshore wind developments.
Around 40% strongly agree with such a moratorium, while just 11% disagree.
The findings underline growing public concern about the cumulative impact of offshore renewables expansion on Scotland’s fishing industry, known as the spatial squeeze.
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.
More generally, the Scottish public strongly supports the country’s fishing industry and is more likely to vote for political parties that back it.
Asked whether they would be more or less likely to vote for political parties if they committed clearly to supporting Scotland’s fishing industry, rather than letting it become a casualty of offshore wind development, 60% of respondents said they would be more likely to do so, with more than a quarter saying they would be much more likely to do so (27%). Just 4% said they would be less likely to support such parties.
The polling also reveals overwhelming backing for safeguarding Scotland’s fishing fleet as competition for marine space intensifies.
More than four in five respondents (91%) agree that Scotland’s fishing fleet should be protected, including 60% who strongly agree. Nobody disagreed.
The results demonstrate broad public recognition of the fleet’s importance at a time when offshore wind and other renewable developments are expanding rapidly across Scotland’s seas.
Scots further believe that where offshore wind developments cause harm to fishing operations, energy companies must take responsibility.
Around four in five respondents (78%) agree that energy companies should be required to pay fair compensation if offshore wind developments restrict access to fishing grounds or cause financial loss to fishermen. Nealy half (47%) strongly agree. Only 7% disagree.
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.
“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 among a sample of 1,000 nationally representative adults in Scotland aged 18+. Opinion Matters abides by the Market Research Society Code of Conduct, follows ESOMAR principles and is a member of the British Polling Council.