Fishermen hit out at Holyrood, saying they have ‘have no idea’ about island communities
There are concerns that the new legislation could decimate fishing communities. Credit Flikr (Creative Coms)
Fishermen have called the Scottish Government’s newly proposed Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA’s) as “disastrous”.
The plans – currently under consultation – would ban commercial and recreational fishing in at least 10% of Scottish seas.
The existing legislation already covers nearly 40% of Scottish seas.
The policy has been criticised by many island communities, who rely on the fishing industry for their livelihood.
Murdo-Angus Kennedy, a Lewis fishermen, said: “The scheme would be disastrous for coastal and local communities.
“So many people on the island rely on fishing for their income and this would result in areas becoming depopulated.
“The HPMA proposal comes from people in power, sitting in an office in Edinburgh, who have no idea how life in coastal environments works.”
The policy is the brainchild of the Scottish Greens – currently in a power-sharing agreement with the SNP – who argue that would protect marine biodiversity and help develop a sustainable fishing sector.
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Marine Protection Zones have been successful in re-stabilizing endangered marine populations in places such as Australia, while in Nova Scotia implementing the zone saved the fishing industry from collapse after extreme overfishing.
Marine biologist, Madeleine Lynch, said: “Marine Protected Areas are designed to protect vital habitats of species such as ocean quahogs, sponges and corals.
“Quahogs, for example, lay down annual growth rings, providing environmental information about the past for historical and climate change science.
“They are important for the productivity of sand and gravel ecosystems and as a food source for commercially important Atlantic cod.”
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has proposed that two pilot areas are designated to trial the scheme to give the Scottish `Government time to assess its impact.
John-Angus Morrison is a creel fisherman, who argues that this blanket approach to protecting marine life would disproportionality affect small, sustainable fishing practices.
Creel fishing is a species-selective and environmentally sustainable form of fishing, meaning there is little by-catch.
Angus said: “We’re already limited to where we can fish because we can’t put our creels in the towing lanes where trawlers fish.
“I imagine smaller boats that don’t have the capability to travel bigger distances will be finished if these zones are introduced right on their doorstep.”
The trad band, Skipinnish, even released a song protesting HPMA’s and the impact they will have on Island communities – comparing it to the highland clearances.
Shetland Islands Council has also opposed the new zones – illustrating the gap in opinion at a Holyrood level compared to a local level.
However, despite pressure from island communities, more than 40 environmental organisations have put their weight behind introducing HPMA’s – Calling on the SNP not to scrap the plans that would protect wildlife in Scotland’s waters.
According to National Geographic, 0.8% of the world’s oceans are covered by Maritime Protection areas.
