Responding to the launch of the Marine Bill consultation paper by the Scottish Government today (14 July), Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:
“The SFF welcomes the prominence given in the document for sustainable economic growth.
“The consultation process needs to ensure that a careful balance is struck between enabling Scotland’s valuable fishing industry to sustainably harvest the sea’s natural resources whilst at the same time ensuring the protection of the marine ecosystem.
“What must not happen is for Scotland’s seas to turn into a glorified marine aquarium. In the terrestrial environment, farming operations, urban development and protected conservation areas can all co-exist together. It is essential that the same kind of balance is achieved for our seas.”
