US monument designation disregards industry
The Seafood Harvesters of America has criticised the Obama government decision to establish the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
Fishery Council Asks for Transparent Analysis of Proposed Marine Monument Expansion
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has agreed to a resolution that asks the US government to address a suite of concerns before acting on the proposed expansion on the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (MNM) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The proposed monument expansion could prohibit commercial tuna fishing by US vessels in two-thirds of US offshore waters around Hawaii.
Sweden aims for MPA target
Sweden’s Marine and Water Authority (HaV) is focusing on more protected areas, with a target of 10% of the marine environment under protection by 2020.
Hawaiian fishermen petition Obama to not extend MPA
Hawaii’s Hunting Farming and Fishing Association has set up a petition asking the President of the US not to extend the North-West Hawaiian Island Marine Monument from 50 miles to 200 miles around the islands, claiming that such an extension would have devastating impacts on small business, fisheries, and culture without justification or public input.
MPA proposals come unstuck
Proposals to lock more than a million square kilometres of ocean into a vast marine protected area (MPA) have been hit by setbacks as the Austral Islands question why such an arrangement is needed. The proposals are for an area around the southernmost islands of French Polynesia to become an MPA, but the process has received far from unanimous support from the islands’ government.
Bulk carrier anchors in MPA
A Belgian-flagged bulk carrier remains at anchor in the lee of the Isle of Arran, having been there for more than a week.
New research to aid sustainable MPA management
Research has provided a more accurate picture of the effects of trawl gears in MPAs, providing scientists with a better understanding of the level of fishing activity that can be carried out within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), allowing them to remain compatible with conservation objectives.
Scottish Parliament rejects bid to halt MPA restrictions on fishing
Feelings ran high in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh today as both fishermen and the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) demonstrated outside over proposals that would restrict towed gear fishing across thirteen sites to due to be protected. These include Loch Sween, South Arran, Upper Loch Fyne and St Kilda.
SFF calls on MSPs to support local communities over MPA proposals
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) is urging Scottish parliamentarians to support local communities on the West coast by rejecting Scottish Government proposals for an overly restrictive Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Firth of Clyde.
Scottish fishermen to demonstrate in Edinburgh
Fishermen from the west of Scotland and the Scottish islands are planning a demonstration on the 27th of January to start at 0900 outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.