Petition prepared over HPMA plan

A petition is being put forward by Scotland’s seafood sector against the highly controversial fishing ban proposal for Scotland's coastal waters.

 

Enforced in what would be known as Highly Protected Marine Areas, or HPMAs, the Scottish Government proposals involve banning fishing and harvesting in at least 10 per cent of the country’s waters, while representatives from across the industry have published a petition calling on ministers to drop the policy.

 

Speaking at an industry gathering outside the Scottish Parliament last Friday, Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, which represents around 400 vessels, said: “Banning fishing in at least 10 per cent 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 push the seafood sector into the red.”

 

“It’s important that we push this message home."

 

Elaine Whyte of the Community Inshore Fisheries Alliance said: “HPMAs are only the latest example of top-down policies which threaten coastal communities and ignore 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.

 

“Already 37 per cent 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.”

 

Jimmy Buchan, chief executive of the Scottish Seafood Association, said: “While the government's aim to protect Scotland's marine environment is commendable and over a third of Scotland’s seas are already designated for protection, 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."

 

Elspeth Macdonald concluded: “Nobody cares more about our marine environment than those who are dependent upon it for their livelihoods.

 

"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 is time to think again.”

 

Known as HPMAs - Scrap the Ban, the petition was not yet live at the time of going to print, but will be emailed to those interested, who provide an email address at docs.google.com/forms/d/1lGWwIKWoN_fhmji7HBWRtraIrNhSd2Oa0Uotu1PBaPY/viewform?edit_requested=true