STATEMENT FROM SCOTTISH FISHERMEN’S FEDERATION REGARDING HPMAS

Statement from Scottish Fishermen’s Federation regarding HPMAs. Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:

“We welcome that the Scottish Government appears to have listened to businesses and communities and recognised that its policy on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) covering at least 10% of our seas is flawed and should be scrapped.  

“Ministers will now need to re-assure people that they are not simply intent on introducing the same policy by the back door. The seafood sector has set out a clear pathway on how we can work with Government to strike the right balance between nature conservation and sustainable use, and the test for government now is to deliver upon that.”

The Scottish Government’s deeply unpopular proposals for strict marine conservation zones where fishing will be outlawed, are are causing great concern and anxiety all around Scotland’s coast. Almost 40% of Scotland’s seas are designated as MPAs, and the government’s own programme of reviewing their effectiveness is still to be completed.

The Scottish Government on HPMAs

Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) are areas of the sea (including the shoreline) that allow the protection and full recovery of marine ecosystems. By setting aside some areas of sea with high levels of protection, HPMAs will allow nature to fully recover to a more natural state, allowing the ecosystem to thrive.

HPMAs will protect all species and habitats and associated ecosystem processes within the site boundary, including the seabed and water column.