Exclusive:How UK immigration restrictions will make Scottish fishing's future 'difficult'

Industry experts say they are worried about the future of Scottish fishing, as it is ‘dependent’ on foreign labour

The UK government’s overhaul of immigration makes it “difficult” to see a sustainable future for the Scottish fishing industry, industry experts have claimed.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a raft of tighter restrictions on visas in a bid to bring down net migration, including scrapping care worker visas completely, and increasing the requirements for skilled worker visas.

The Prime Minister says employers should instead be training up UK workers rather than recruiting from overseas.

Danish trawler fishing for sandeels with gannets & kittiwakes. picture: Chris Gomersall. | Chris Gomersall

However, Scottish fishing experts say they are “very concerned” about the impact this will have on the sector, as it is “dependent” on overseas labour.

Around a third of the workforce come from outside the UK, and ever since Brexit the industry has been grappling with visa difficulties.

In the initial post-Brexit days, most overseas fishermen came on a transit visa, allowing them to move through Scotland to board a vessel that will go on to fish in international waters.

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However, new rules came into force in 2023 banning anyone on a transit visa from working on fishing boats. Instead, they needed a skilled worker visa, which has a higher English language requirement.

The industry has consistently campaigned for a language exemption for fishermen on this type of visa, as many do not have the language skills required.

This week’s immigration changes now mean those on skilled worker visas need even higher language skills and to be educated to degree level - something the industry says is not feasible.

Mike Park, from the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association, said: “We have just moved from transit visas to skilled worker visas and have all the concerns that come with that.

Mike Park, Scottish White Fish Producers' Association | Supplied

“If the government puts in more measures to make it difficult to achieve that, it is difficult to see where the industry goes. Getting fishermen into the industry domestically is very difficult, it is almost impossible, so I am very much concerned.

“The government needs to understand that the folk coming from overseas are working class and are not exposed to English and higher education. We are already struggling to get the sector aligned to the current standards, and increasing them for the fishing industry will be a real challenge.”

Mr Park said the industry was “doing everything it can” to recruit within Scotland, but stressed it was not an attractive career choice.

He said: “The reality is more and more youngsters are going to further education and when they come out wanting a marine career, there is the Royal Navy, merchant navy, offshore oil and gas, salmon fishing and renewables. Fishing has uncertainty and on whether you are at home or at sea, which makes us the last choice.

“It is very, very difficult.

“The government needs to understand some sectors like ours are more under pressure than others, so rather than thinking about immigration as a whole, they should look at specific sectors and come up with specific solutions.”

Alistair Bally-Philp, from the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation, said the changes would have a “dramatically negative effect” on the industry.

Alistair Bally-Philp, Scottish Creel Fishermen's Federation | Supplied

He said: “Trawlers and dredgers offshore are reliant on foreign labour and if the government is making it harder to open up the market to these workers, it will put a lot of pressure on the industry.

“There is the potential to train up local people and UK nationals, but the industry is not appealing because of working conditions, sustainability and rates of pay.

“In the UK, people don’t see it as a long-term career with good wages. It will have a dramatically negative effect on the larger mobile sector.”

The UK Home Office says its immigration white paper aims to reduce the reliance on international recruitment, and says while it understands the industry’s labour shortages concerns, it needs to address the fundamental issues of remote locations, working conditions and pay.

A spokeswoman also told The Scotsman the English language requirements of the skilled worker visas is an essential safeguard against exploitation.