Scottish fishermen are being compelled to fit their vessels with costly, always-on surveillance cameras under new government rules that come into force next month. The industry has reacted with anger, branding the move a "Big Brother" intrusion driven by a lack of trust.
What Are the New Rules?
From 7th March, all Scottish pelagic trawlers over 39 feet—effectively the entire commercial fleet targeting mackerel and herring—must be equipped with Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) systems. The same requirement applies to foreign vessels operating in Scottish waters.
The sophisticated camera systems are designed to cover every area of a boat where fish are caught, handled, or processed. They automatically begin recording the moment fishing nets are cast into the sea. Ministers state the primary goal is to gather scientific data to help maintain healthy fish stocks and ensure a level playing field with foreign boats.
A Costly Burden and a 'Complete Lack of Trust'
Fishermen, however, see the policy very differently. They argue the scheme is less about science and more about control and enforcement, stemming from government suspicion. Ian Gatt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, which represents 21 boats, minced no words.
"They claim it’s about science but really it’s about control, enforcement and a complete lack of trust in the country’s fishermen," Gatt stated.
The financial and operational burdens are significant. Skipper George Anderson from Whalsay, Shetland, revealed he has spent £60,000 to install nine cameras on his 230ft vessel, the Adenia. Beyond the installation cost, the regulations are backed by severe penalties, ranging from fixed £500 notices to unlimited fines and confiscation orders.
"Big Brother has taken over," said Anderson. "We’re being presumed guilty and now we have to install cameras that spy on us constantly to prove we’re innocent. It feels like a breach of human rights."
Operational Risks and Fears of Unfair Targeting
The new system introduces serious operational vulnerabilities. If the monitoring equipment fails while a boat is at sea, the crew is legally required to cease fishing immediately. This could force vessels to abandon entire trips at great financial loss until repairs are made.
There is also a profound concern that Scottish skippers will be disproportionately targeted for scrutiny. Ian Gatt pointed out that Scottish waters are fished by around 70 Norwegian, 50 EU, and 20 Faroese vessels, in addition to the domestic fleet. The volume of footage generated monthly will be colossal.
"It will simply be impossible to check it all," Gatt argued. "Our concern is that whoever is doing the monitoring will concentrate on Scottish boats, because they’re the easiest target."
In response to these fears, the Association is demanding a formal review of the policy after six months to guarantee Scottish vessels are not subject to unfair enforcement.
A Scottish Government spokesman defended the policy, stating: "Remote Electronic Monitoring protects the Scottish fleet by requiring non-Scottish vessels to follow the same rules and regulations, ensuring we can better protect our fish stocks from illegal fishing." The spokesman added that ministers plan to review the policy "at various points following its introduction."
Scotland is currently the only UK nation to introduce mandatory REM, though voluntary trials are underway in parts of England. The policy's rollout follows a 2011 scandal in Shetland where fishermen were convicted for a multi-million pound "black market" fishing scam.
