PRAWN fishing boats have been forced to tie up and not return to sea because they cannot find enough crew to work them due to changes in non-EU work visas.

More than 60 additional skilled crew are needed to allow the Western Isles trawler fleet to work to full capacity, local MP Angus MacNeil has been told by fishermen.

He is now pushing for action from the UK Government to assist the industry with crew shortages and allow them to recruit from non-EU countries.

Mr MacNeil said: “This is an extremely serious situation and the UK Government’s current position on temporary work visas for non-EU fishermen is hindering a solution.

“In an area with population decline, it is increasingly difficult to recruit locally.

“Previously, many boats used seamen from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) which worked well for everyone and boosted the local economy. 

“Indeed many of those previously employed are still in touch with their previous skippers to ask when they can come back. I am expecting an imminent response from the Immigration Minister on this matter.”

Duncan Macinnes, secretary of the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association, said the issue was having a major impact on the west coast prawn fleet and said there were seven boats tied up across the Western Isles due to crew shortages.

“The local economy is suffering badly from not being able to have skilled crew, with three vessels tied up for three weeks, accounting for at least £100,000 being lost,” he said.

“There is also  subsequent loss to the Treasury on various taxes, oil consumption and others in the local community that provide services and supplies to those vessels, without taking into consideration the added value that processing those catches would provide.

“Three boats are tied up in Barra and a further four have been tied up in Stornoway because it is impossible to recruit local labour.”

Dave Linkie, editor of Fishing News, the industry bible, said the problem was causing difficulties for fishermen throughout the UK and backed Mr MacNeil’s call for urgent action from the UK Government.

He said: “That skippers from all parts of the UK are experiencing major administration difficulties in sourcing experienced and skilled international fishermen , who have already proved more than able and willing, continues to be of major concern throughout the fishing industry.

“Less than three months ago I was privileged to attended the opening of the new secure harbour at Ardveenish (Barra), which even before its completion provided local skippers and processors with the confidence needed to invest in newer boats that have the potential to make valuable long-term contributions to the community of Barra.

“It is extremely disappointing some of these boats are now forced to remain in the new harbour due to a shortage of crews.”

Mr MacNeil and other MPs previously met the then Home Office Minister James Brokenshire to press the case for Scottish fishing vessels facing crew shortages to be allowed to recruit workers from outside the EEA.

The plan would allow employers in the Scottish and Northern Irish fishing industries to access, on a quota-limited basis, temporary labour from outside the EEA.

But Mr Brokenshire refused to consider any such scheme and said the responsibility for labour supply is an issue for the industry itself 
to resolve.