SCOTLAND’S fishing industry has called on the Scottish Government to have a “radical rethink” on its plans to introduce new marine conservation zones.
The newly proposed Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) – currently under consultation – would ban commercial and recreational fishing in at least 10% of the seas around Scotland.
Scotland’s existing network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) already covers approximately 37% of its seas.
Scottish Government ministers said this will conserve marine ecosystems, but continue to provide economic and social benefits.
But the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), which represents Scotland’s fishermen’s associations, said HPMAs will have a “catastrophic impact” on the industry.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson must lose Tory whip if found guilty of partygate lies, SNP say
Members said the current plans “lack ecological justification and were being introduced for purely political reasons”.
SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said the Scottish Government’s blue economy plans “have been hijacked by the Greens and will push the fishing industry into the red”.
“On top of the existing spatial squeeze caused by the dash to build huge offshore windfarms with little consideration for their impact on fisheries, the (Scottish) government wants to close a further 10% of our waters to fishing vessels – with no evidence whatsoever that doing so will achieve ministers’ vague conservation aims, nor any attempt to understand the effect of displacing the fishing fleet,” she said.
“The underlying assumptions are that fishing is damaging to the environment and stocks are degraded.
“Neither is justifiable, and in fact the (Scottish) government’s own indicators show that sustainability of commercially fished stocks is on a continuing upwards trend.”
The SFF said it fully supports conservation and has been an active and supportive partner with government in developing the existing MPA network.
Instead of entirely dismissing the concept of HPMAs, the group has proposed that two pilot areas are designated to allow the Scottish government and stakeholders to work together to assess their impact, which SFF said needs to be fully understood before further areas are restricted.
It said in England, three HPMAs covering just 0.53% of English waters are to be trialled as pilots.
“SFF is urging the Scottish Government to have a radical rethink on this and at very least accept our alternative proposal for two pilot projects to assess the need, practicalities and costs/benefits in a proper scientific manner,” Macdonald said.
“As they stand, the proposals will have a catastrophic impact on the fishing industry and our coastal communities that depend on it for jobs and income.”
SFF’s views come after waves of criticism from fishing bodies and island communities in Scotland, including the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation and Shetland Fisherman – which have both voiced their opposition to the plans.
Western Isles local authority – Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – also said it will strongly oppose HMPAs last week.
Shetland Islands Council depute leader Gary Robinson described the new proposals as “potentially devastating”, adding “it’s essential that the council makes a strong representation against the imposition of highly protected marine areas around Shetland”.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are currently at the early stages of consulting on the principles which will inform our overall approach to the future development of HPMAs and how sites will be identified and selected.
“As this work progresses, we will be working closely with the fishing industry and other marine users.”
The spokesperson insisted HPMAs would allow marine species and habitats to be restored and recover, benefitting nature and the economy.
The closing date for responding to the public consultation has been extended from the end of March to April 17.
All forms of fishing, including catch and release angling, would be banned in a HPMA, according to the draft guidelines.
Seaweed harvesting is also in line for the chop, and there is a proposed total ban on shellfish cultivation in these areas.
Also within HPMAs, no new marine renewable energy schemes would be allowed and there would be restrictions around the laying of subsea cables.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel