ONE of Scotland’s biggest traditional music bands has teamed up with a 64-year-old fisherman to produce a song protesting the introduction of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA).
The Scottish Government’s public consultation on HPMAs will finish on April 17 and has proved divisive.
Their introduction would see 10% of Scotland’s seas designated as HPMAs and put an end to the vast majority of human activities that may cause negative impacts on the environment.
That would mean no fishing, no aquaculture, no oil and gas exploration, no commercial seaweed harvesting and no offshore wind infrastructure.
READ MORE: Philippa Whitford disputes claim that gender bill clashes with Equality Act
Now, trad band Skipinnish have paired with Donald Francis MacNeil - who has made his recording debut to protest against the legislation.
The band’s co-founder Angus MacPhail has penned The Clearances Again to stand against the plans and give a voice to those who disagree with what is being proposed.
Writing in The National, MSP Kate Forbes recently expressed concern about the negative impact she believes HPMAs will have on the Highlands.
The song is written from the perspective of MacNeil from the Isle of Vatersay in the Western Isles.
The 64-year-old is a lifelong fisherman who has fished around Mingulay and the islands to the south of the Isle of Barra his whole life.
Speaking to The Fishing Daily, MacPhail said: “These proposals cannot be allowed to go ahead. They must be opposed and sunk.
“They pose the biggest peacetime risk to our communities since the Highland Clearances and give zero regard to the effective local management of these waters.
“As Donald sings at the end of The Clearances Again, ‘My song marks a fight for survival/A Mayday call we cry/We will stand for the rights of our children/We will not let our islands die’, this is a strong clarion call to everyone that holds the future of these communities dear to make their voices heard throughout the government’s consultation.”
MacNeil also expressed his frustration at the proposals. He said: “Fishing has been my whole life. It supports my family and many in the community I have lived in since I was born.
“I know every reef, skerry and sandbank around these shores, better than any who are pushing these devastating proposals on us.”
He continued: “To be told by officials in Edinburgh that they know better than those of us in the fishing community is frankly insulting and proves they know nothing of how we operate and how fragile the economy of these communities is.
READ MORE: Fishing group calls for rethink of marine protected area plan
“For the sake of my children and those who will come after us, I will do everything I can to stand against these ill-conceived and badly planned proposals.
“HPMAs have only one objective – to devastate our rural, coastal communities and clear them of the indigenous people who have protected them for millennia. This cannot be allowed to happen.”
I don't think Scot Gov legislative consultation has ever got people so annoyed, - now protest song.
— Angus B MacNeil MP🇺🇦 (@AngusMacNeilSNP) April 12, 2023
All because the Highly Protected Marine Areas bill, is such a spectacularly bad idea.
An example of doing something to people rather than with people. https://t.co/cHb8Af0LyC
Angus MacNeil, who serves as the MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has also been critical of HPMAs.
Writing on Twitter, he said: “I don’t think Scot Gov legislative consultation has ever got people so annoyed – now protest song.
“All because the Highly Protected Marine Areas bill is such a spectacularly bad idea. An example of doing something to people rather than with people.”
The new song will be available to listen to on April 14.
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