Scottish authorities scraps plan for extremely protected marine areas

The Scottish authorities has scrapped its controversial plan to limit fishing in 10% of Scotland’s waters following an uproar from coastal communities.

Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan confirmed the plan to introduce extremely protected marine areas (HPMAs) by 2026 will now not go forward on Thursday.

Instead, she stated a brand new means ahead will probably be developed with a view to creating Scotland “nature-positive” by 2030.

Groups representing fishing industries have been strongly against the HPMA proposals and a few SNP MSPs joined within the criticism.

Ms McAllan advised MSPs on Thursday: “I’ve listened intently and am in little doubt of the sturdy views each for and in opposition to.

“But if there has been one consistent point of consensus, it is that doing nothing is not an option.

“In reality, we all know from a current government-funded survey that 85% of Scottish respondents contemplate defending the marine atmosphere as necessary to them.

“I can confirm today that the proposal as consulted on will not be progressed.

“This means we are going to now not search to implement HPMAs throughout 10% of Scotland’s seas by 2026.”

Read extra:
Yousaf and Ross clash during FMQs over plans for HPMAs

Elspeth Macdonald, chief government of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, welcomed the transfer to scrap the “flawed” HPMAs.

She stated: “Ministers will now need to reassure people that they are not simply intent on introducing the same policy by the back door.

“The seafood sector has set out a transparent pathway on how we will work with authorities to strike the proper stability between nature conservation and sustainable use, and the take a look at for presidency now’s to ship upon that.”

A spokesman for the charity Open Seas stated: “Although Open Seas support the stated aims of HPMAs, we have maintained serious concerns about the approach taken so far to implement them.

“The Scottish authorities at the moment are studying a tough lesson that deep neighborhood engagement and participation is key to taking motion for the atmosphere.

“The HPMA debate has diverted some attention from the routine environmental damage to Scotland’s coastal seabed caused by scallop dredging and bottom-trawling.”