The seafood sector in Scotland has banded together to kick off a campaign against Scottish Government plans to ban fishing, aquaculture and harvesting in at least 10% of the country’s waters.
Representatives from across the sector submitted a petition calling on ministers to drop its policy on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), urging people to support the petition in large numbers to underline the strength of opposition to the controversial conservation measures which would the fishing industry believes will have a catastrophic effect.
‘Banning fishing in at least 10% of our waters is the wrong approach. No evidence has been produced by ministers to show why HPMAs are necessary or that they will achieve their very vague aims. They are being introduced to appease the Greens in the coalition government and will cost jobs, devastate Scottish coastal and island communities and will push the seafood sector into the red,’ said Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, speaking outside the Scottish Parliament.
‘It’s important that we push this message home, so we’re calling on people to sign the petition once it goes live on the Parliament’s website!’
Elaine Whyte of the Community Inshore Fisheries Alliance described HPMAs as the latest example of top-down policies which threaten coastal communities, stating that this ignores the positive roles fishing communities play in providing low carbon, sustainable food to meet a growing demand for protein.
‘HPMAs disregard local knowledge and undermine established sustainable fisheries management practices and the security of low carbon footprint food sources,’ she said.
‘Already 37% of Scottish waters are classified as protected, and we are still witnessing ambitious Marine Protected Area, Priority Marine Features proposals and regional closures as well as a potential inshore fishing effort cap scheme. We urge government to be mindful of our fishing communities’ resilience to survive and their breaking points, and work alongside them before communities are damaged beyond repair.’
Scottish Seafood Association chief executive Jimmy Buchan commented that while the government’s aim to protect Scotland’s marine environment is commendable, concerns have been raised about the impact of HPMAs on rural communities and the businesses that support them.
‘It is crucial that the Scottish Government listens to all stakeholders and takes into account their concerns and perspectives.
‘Furthermore, the government must not be beholden to any particular political agenda, including that of the Greens, and must ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are protected,’ he said.
‘Nobody cares more about our marine environment than those who are dependent upon it for their livelihoods,’ Elspeth Macdonald concluded.
‘Coastal communities the length and breadth of Scotland are united in their opposition to this ill-founded policy. We call on the Scottish Government to scrap their plans, scrap the ban and acknowledge that it’s time to think again.’
