A coalition of fishermen’s groups set up to provide a united voice on how marine protected areas are established in UK waters has confirmed that it will be exhibiting at the Fishing 2011 Expo in Glasgow. The MPA Fishing Coalition will use the high-profile event at the SECC to highlight how the current implementation of a network of Marine Protected Areas is being mishandled.
A coalition of fishermen’s groups set up to provide a united voice on how marine protected areas are established in UK waters has confirmed that it will be exhibiting at the Fishing 2011 Expo in Glasgow. The MPA Fishing Coalition will use the high-profile event at the SECC to highlight how the current implementation of a network of Marine Protected Areas is being mishandled.
The MPA Fishing Coalition has a broad support base covering all sizes of vessels and methods of fishing and all parts of the UK, as well as fishing organisations from other European member states.
According to Coalition Chairman Dr Stephen Lockwood, participation at Fishing 2011 will provide a powerful platform to further highlight the fishing industry’s concerns over MPAs and how they are being implemented.
“We have real concerns over the weakness and lack of clarity about the development these management measures and the criteria that are used,” he said.
“There are potentially very serious economic consequences for the fishing industry and our aim is to ensure that the fishing sector is represented at the highest levels where the critical decisions will be made.
“Our attendance at Fishing 2011 will provide an excellent opportunity to publicly highlight these concerns to a wide audience of marine stakeholders and decision makers.”
The MPA will be inviting members of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation to attend and support their campaign at the show.
David Moir, Fishing 2011 Show Manager, said: “We are delighted that such a high profile organisation as the MPA Fishing Coalition has decided to use Fishing 2011 as a platform for pressing forward their compelling case.
“As a former fishermen myself, I recognise that one of the greatest dangers facing the industry is the continuing squeeze on our traditional fishing grounds.”
Fishing 2011 will be staged from 24-26 March at the SECC in Glasgow.
