A 12-MILE zone to regulate dredging and trawling should be brought in around Scotland’s coast to protect marine stocks, SNP members have agreed.

Party activists debated a resolution on the final day of the conference which called for Holyrood agency Marine Scotland to regulate activity along the shoreline to protect biodiversity.

The resolution stated that Scotland’s marine stocks are being “seriously overfished” leading to the marine environment being “destroyed” by dredging and trawling on the sea bed.

It calls for meaningful dialogue with fishermen, conservationists and scientists to “create a viable and sustainable” marine habitat and fishing industry.

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The resolution continued: “Conference therefore resolves to call on Marine Scotland to utilise existing powers to regulate and monitor fishing/potting activities within the 12 mile limit.

“Marine Scotland Executive Agency in charge of fisheries is obliged to follow the policy ser out in the National Marine Plan and Marine (Scotland) 2010 act.”

The motion also calls for the sea to be regarded as a “public asset” to be “regulated and managed fairly”.

Catherine Murphy, who proposed the motion, told delegates that everyone has a stake in the “well being” of the sea.

The National:

She continued: “The Scottish Government sets the bar high, but we must do more to achieve our aims.

“Instead of trawl and dredge fishing, destroying the seabed including the nursery environments for juvenile fish, crabs, lobsters, etc, we can have hand dyed scallops, creel caught crab and lobster, so preserving Scotland the brand as a premium product on the world stage.

“Conference, I call on the Scottish Government to stop the chronic destruction of the coastal seabed by immediately reinstating limits to the bottom trawling and dredge fishing in the 1984 act, which has allowed the destruction of the inshore habitat, resulting in reduced fish and crustacean population impacting on the local community biodiversity and sustainability.

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“The sea soothes our souls. It is now time to save the sea.”

Finlay McFarlane, who seconded the motion, told delegates that the “time for change is now” and welcomed the resolution.

He added: “It's a hugely important statement of intent and an acknowledgement of overfishing. “Some in the industry might say, you know, I've trolled the seas for many years and my catch is fine, but the day will come and it won't be.

“It's about supporting and incentivizing sustainable fishing practices.”

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Environmentalists have long called for greater curbs on fishing activity within the 12 mile limit, but it has been a controversial issue of debate which has split opinions in the sector.

While the Scottish Fishermen's Federation last year rejected a call for a ban on trawlers within three miles of the shore, the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation has said the sustainable efforts of its members are being hampered by a “poorly regulated minority”.

In 2017, scallop dredges were banned from Loch Carron, Wester Ross, after an endangered reef was damaged.

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The Scottish Government put in place an urgent Marine Conservation order banning dredgers at the Highland loch for a year, but six months later brought in permanent protections.

The site, which will take decades to recover, was designated a Marine Protected Area.

The resolution passed with 342 votes in favour, with three against.