MSP voices fears over proposed fishing gear bans in Marine Protected Areas
Plans to ban certain types of fishing gear around Scotland’s coast has been slammed by a Buckie-based MSP.
The Scottish Government are currently running a public consultation on proposed fisheries management measures within Scotland’s offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The Scottish MPA network currently consists of 247 sites and is made up of sites put in place for various purposes under different legislation. Of these sites 233 are designated for nature conservation, amounting to 37 per cent of the seas around Scotland.
Proposals outlined in the consultation would see certain types of fishing gear banned in certain MPA zones..
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Tim Eagle, who lives near Buckie, said: “These proposals from the Scottish Government to ban certain types of equipment will heighten fishermen’s concerns about being squeezed out of large areas of the sea.
“This consultation comes when our fishing industry is already worried that the SNP’s reckless HPMA proposals will reappear under a different guise in the future.
“The Scottish Government must work with the sector to conduct an evidence-based approach to marine planning decisions at a time when 37 per cent of Scottish waters are already protected under the existing MPA network.
“Spatial squeeze is among the biggest fears within the fishing industry which is why it’s vital as many people as possible respond to this consultation.
“Living along the north-east coastline myself, I know, like many, that fishing helps to form the lifeblood of our coastal communities and it’s imperative the industry has a voice at the table for shaping policy.”
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) Senior Fisheries Policy and Science Manager Elena Balestri said: “The SFF maintains a regular dialogue with the Scottish Government on conservation matters. We have been expecting this consultation for a while now.
“We will take an in-depth look at the measures proposed for each of the 20 sites and verify the evidence produced to support them.
“Apart from some slight modification to the areas where the measures will be implemented due to the gathering of new evidence, we do not expect deviations from what has been agreed during a long and co-operative process that has lasted years.
“The measures to be implemented in the offshore sites are in fact the result of a process that has seen the engagement, discussion and agreement among various stakeholders, including the fishing industry and various eNGOs.
“We are expecting measures that will protect the vulnerable features while ensuring minimal disruption to fishing activities, in line with achieving the right balance between conservation and sustainable use.
“We urge the Scottish Government to rely on this constructive and cooperative process, as deviating from it would undermine the industry’s confidence.”
Banffshire and Buchan Coast SNP MSP Karen Adam assured fishers and fishing communities that she was keen to listen to any points or concerns they may have regarding the subject of the consultation.
She said: “It is a privilege to be the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Banffshire and Buchan Coast and to represent a number of coastal communities across Aberdeenshire and Moray.
“Many lives and livelihoods across our country, particularly in the north-east, depend on fisheries and the meaningful contribution they make to both the culture and economy of Scotland.
”The Scottish Government has a track record of listening to, engaging with and acting for the benefit of our fishers. Last year, when concerns were raised to me about Highly Protected Marine Areas, I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary and urged her to meet with fishers, including from my own constituency. She did so. The Scottish Government ultimately listened to our fishers and abandoned plans for HPMAs.
“Meanwhile the UK government is pressing ahead with a disastrous and damaging Brexit despite the impact it has had and continues to have on our fisheries, particularly the processing sector.
“I have been made aware of the comments of Tim Eagle MSP regarding this consultation. I have read the consultation and urge coastal communities to do to the same. Given Tim Eagle's recent interest in this issue, I was delighted to invite him to join the Cross-Party Group on Fisheries and Coastal Communities which I chair in the Scottish Parliament. And I am delighted that he agreed to join.
“The issue of marine spatial planning, or the so-called 'spatial-squeeze', is one that has been consistently raised and discussed at our meetings and I look forward to his contributions and working on a cross-party basis with him for the benefit of our fishers.
”I want to reassure fishers that their voices will be heard, as they were before and that I and my office remain available to discuss this and any other issue with you.”
For more information, and to respond to the consultation, visit https://www.gov.scot
The consultation is set to close on October 14.
