Carmichael calls for end to “spatial squeeze by default” in debate on Crown Estate Bill

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called for an end to spatial squeeze for fishermen being “accepted as the default” during a debate on a new bill reforming the Crown Estate. Speaking during the Second Reading of the Crown Estate Bill in Parliament on Tuesday evening, Mr Carmichael noted the risk of the Crown Estate, which manages the majority of the UK seabed, being compelled to side with energy developers in conflicts with fishing interests over access.

The Crown Estate is primarily devolved, and the Bill in the House of Commons largely applies to England and Wales only, but Mr Carmichael noted the potential for amendments to the Bill to set a precedent and rebalance the competing interests. He noted after the debate that he would seek to introduce an amendment in committee to that effect.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Carmichael said:

“I understand that the Minister is proposing that, in relation to the seabed, the Crown Estate will be a licensing authority for renewable energy projects and will now be able to invest in them too. The commissioners have a primary duty to maximise the return to the Crown Estate of any activity they undertake. To comply with the law, will the Crown Estate be compelled to side with renewable energy development at the expense of the fishing industry if, for example, there is a conflict between the siting of an offshore wind farm and the use of that sea by the fishing industry, and is that fair?”

Responding for the government, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones MP said:

“That is a great question. I have no idea, so I will commit to writing to the right hon. Gentleman with an answer, if he will forgive me for not knowing.”

Speaking after the debate, Mr Carmichael said:

“This legislation has the potential to set a new precedent for how the Crown Estate manages competing demands between energy developments and fishing interests. 

“For too long spatial squeeze on fishing grounds has been accepted as the default. This is the chance to rebalance the duties of the Crown Estate and give fishermen better protection – if the government takes our concerns on board. I shall be working with colleagues across Parliament to craft an amendment to that effect and I hope that ministers engage with us constructively to improve the bill.”