Rural Britain Under Siege - How Urban Ideals Are Starving Rural Britain's Expertise.

The rapid ascendancy of online influencers and their ability to shape public opinion has created a profound crisis for traditional food-producing and other leading business communities in Great Britain, particularly those involved in fishing, farming and the oil business. This shift in power dynamics has effectively dismantled the established systems of resource management, replacing them with regulations driven by emotionally charged online campaigns and extremist viewpoints. 

The core message is one of lost control. Rural communities, historically responsible for ensuring the nation's food security, now find themselves powerless against a tide of regulations imposed by distant, often urban-based, policymakers. These regulations, frequently driven by sensationalised narratives and simplified portrayals of complex ecological systems, ignore the practical realities of resource management and the lived experiences of those who work the land and sea. 

The decline of traditional management is evident across various sectors. In both the marine environment and in our rivers, the ability to manage seal populations, control fish-eating birds has been severely curtailed. Animal welfare campaigns, amplified by social media, have successfully pushed for stricter protections, disregarding the delicate balance of marine and fresh-water ecosystems along with the economic viability of those communities reliant on this management. Similarly, in agriculture, farmers are burdened by a labyrinth of regulations concerning land use, animal welfare, and pesticide application, often driven by online narratives that portray them as environmental villains. 

Net and Cobble on the Lower River Spey. Look how many are fishing for Finnock in the background!

The root of the problem lies in the disconnect between the practical knowledge of rural communities and the abstract ideals promoted by online influencers. Farmers and fishermen, through generations of experience, have developed a nuanced understanding of their environments, recognising the need for sustainable practices to ensure long-term productivity. However, this practical knowledge is often dismissed in favour of emotional appeals and simplified narratives that resonate with a wider online and generally urban audience. 

A slow and what would appear to be an apathetic response from those speaking on behalf of rural communities to this changing political landscape has exacerbated the problem. Accustomed to a system of practical management and direct engagement, they have been slow to adapt to the digital age [Especially those involved in the protection of salmon fishing]. The rise of social media and online activism has caught them off guard, leaving them ill-equipped to counter the narratives propagated by online influencers. 

The term "apathy" is often used to describe this slow response. However, it is not a lack of concern, but rather a sense of being overwhelmed and disenfranchised. Through the 1990s and into the 21st century, rural communities, accustomed to direct engagement with policymakers, find themselves marginalised in a system where online sentiment and "influencer-driven" campaigns hold sway with politicians because their opinion equate to more votes.

The fundamental disconnect lies in the understanding of food production. Traditionally, rural communities have managed resources to maximise food production for the vast majority of the population residing in urban areas. This practical approach, grounded in experience and observation, has been replaced by a system of regulation driven by abstract ideals, incomplete scientific data and online narratives. 

The campaigns to "soften the impact" of human activity on the environment, while often well-intentioned, frequently fail to recognise the essential role that traditional industries play in providing food security and maintaining rural livelihoods. The result is a system of regulation that stifles productivity, undermines rural communities, and ultimately, whether on land or at sea, jeopardises the nation's ability to feed itself. The main message is that the ability to manage our own resources has been taken from those who understand them best, and given to those who shout loudest online. 

Scotland's oil industry, once a source of pride and innovation, is facing serious challenges due to a shift in public and political opinion. The push for "net zero" emissions, whilst globally important, has been heavily influenced by a relatively small but vocal group of activists. These activists, often using social media and online platforms, have successfully swayed public perception, particularly among younger generations. 

Here is the argument - we need to drastically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, including oil, to combat climate change. This message, while containing a core truth, has been amplified to an extreme degree, leading to policies that are closing down active oil fields and halting future projects. 

However, the reality is, our society still relies heavily on oil. It's not just about petrol for cars; oil is used in countless products and industries. Experts generally agree that we will need oil for many decades to come, likely at least another 50 years. Therefore, shutting down our domestic oil production means we'll simply have to import it from other countries, often with less stringent environmental standards themselves. China and Russia being prime examples.  

The Scottish oil industry has been a leader in developing cutting-edge technologies and creating well-paying jobs. This expertise is now being jeopardized. The concern is that decisions are being made based on the passionate, but potentially short-sighted, views of a few, rather than a balanced assessment of our energy needs and the economic consequences. 

The worry is that the voices of these very vocal groups, have pushed the political landscape to a point where those in power may not have the necessary experience or understanding of the complexities of the energy sector. This could result in poorly informed policies that harm Scotland's economy and energy security, without necessarily achieving the intended environmental goals. In essence, the debate is about finding a sensible balance between environmental protection and the practical realities of our energy needs, and whether the current balance is correct. 

What, I hear you ask, has this to do with salmon and Salmon Fishing? Well, everything is the answer! Everything that I write about above, can also be applied to the decline of Atlantic Salmon. Because this one has got a little long, I will elaborate on this in the follow up to this blog.