'Lifeline for survival' at risk in Ross-shire from Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) proposals as Scottish Government consultation deadline looms
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Proposed Scottish Government policy to protect marine areas currently under consultation would be a "colossal blow" to fishing communities across Wester Ross, according to those in the industry.
The Scottish Government has committed to designating at least 10 per cent of Scotland’s seas as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) by 2026.
This would see commercial and recreational fishing banned in these zones. Some 37 per cent of Scotland’s seas are already covered by Marine Protected Areas.
“It matters not only for the future of the fishing industry, but also for the economy and culture that surrounds fishing. In our islands and across the peninsulas of the Highland west coast, it is people who are at risk of being the rarest species. So to sever the link with fishing is to sever a lifeline for survival." - Kate Forbes MSP
For Alfie Edwards (68), who has worked in the fishing industry since the 1980s in Applecross, and works closely with other fishing businesses in the area, the policy would be detrimental to rural communities who rely on the industry.
Speaking about the HPMAs he said: “It’s disgraceful what is happening, and there has been no direct consultation with people who have been in the industry all their lives.
“Nobody is interested in us, and the people from the Central Belt think they can just do what they want when they have never worked in the sector.
“It will put people out of business and effect a lot of communities that are already fragile and rely on fishing.
“Also, the employment on fish farms is colossal. I’m livid about it and everyone else I have spoken to here is too.”
All forms of fishing, including catch and release angling, would be prohibited in an HPMA. Seaweed harvesting would also be banned.
“Nobody is interested in us, and the people from the Central Belt think they can just do what they want when they have never worked in the sector." - Alfie Edwards
However, a managed level of ‘tourism activities’ would be allowed including swimming, snorkelling and windsurfing.
Local MSP Kate Forbes has heard from a range of stakeholders on the West Coast who are deeply concerned about the plans, and she urged people to respond to the consultation that is due to close on Monday, April 17.
Forbes said: “There has been much focus in recent weeks on the proposal to create a network of Highly Protected Marine Areas that would ban fishing in a tenth of Scottish waters by 2026. This is part of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens, agreed in August 2021.
“We already have Marine Protected Areas, which currently cover about 37 per cent of Scotland’s seas. MPAs strike a balance between the core purpose of protecting biodiversity and allowing sustainable use of our seas – for example, some kinds of fishing. HPMAs would go much, much further, and place strict limits to ban all fishing, aquaculture and infrastructure development.
“Fishing is about livelihoods, and not just those at sea. I’ve never met a fisherman who didn’t understand that the future of coastal communities and local economies depended on careful and ethical management of marine life.
“It matters not only for the future of the fishing industry, but also for the economy and culture that surrounds fishing. In our islands and across the peninsulas of the Highland west coast, it is people who are at risk of being the rarest species. So to sever the link with fishing is to sever a lifeline for survival.
“The consultation closes next week and I would encourage everyone to contribute before Monday’s (17 April) deadline.”
See https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/scottish-highly-protected-marine-areas/consultation/
