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The Prime Minister, along with Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Scotland Office minister David Duguid and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, today met with the heads of a number of fishing organisations. Scottish Seafood Association chief executive Jimmy Buchan pressed the Prime Minister on the number of staff lost to the industry as a result of Brexit, which has dramatically reduced the number of seasonal workers in Scotland and had an impact on the seafood sector.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Buchan said: “I sought an assurance that the Government would work closely with us to resolve the critical shortage of labour.
“He agreed that a campaign was required to encourage young people into the industry and on the need for direct action to stem the haemorrhage of overseas workers that has occurred since January 1.”
Mr Buchan and other fishing leaders also told Mr Johnson the Brexit deal “had fallen far short of expectations”.
The sector saw delays in exporting goods when red tape imposed by the deal caused tailbacks at Dover.
The agreement unveiled at the end of last year also allowed EU fishermen into UK waters until 2026.
Elspeth Macdonald, the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said Mr Johnson had a duty to support the sector between now and when the access of EU fishermen expires.
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The Prime Minister and Mr Kwarteng visited an offshore wind farm in the North Sea after the Fraserburgh meeting, where Ms Macdonald raised the issue of offshore renewables.
She said: “More renewable energy is clearly vital in the fight against climate change.
“But we need also to recognise that fish is a healthy protein foodstuff with a very low carbon footprint compared with all other animal and many plant-based sources.
“As well as the lack of fishing opportunities, the industry is facing a spatial squeeze as offshore wind grows.
“The wind blows in many more places than fish swim, and for both sectors to flourish, decisions must be made that allow for us to co-exist successfully.”
A Defra spokeswoman said: “We are committed to supporting the UK fishing fleet and levelling up the industry and coastal communities across the UK.
“The UK and the EU agreed a historic Fisheries Framework Agreement that reflects the UK’s new status as an independent coastal state, and works to protect and promote the rights of fishermen across the UK.
“We have committed up to £23million to support fisheries businesses in Scotland and across the UK.
“And a further £100million has been dedicated to rejuvenating the industry and coastal communities in the longer term.
“We will continue to work closely with industry to help them access the labour they need.”
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