Call by north MSP for Scottish Government to re-think its plans on Highly Protected Marine Areas
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A NORTH MSP has urged the Scottish Government to re-think its "slap dash and vague" plans on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs).
Rhoda Grant, the Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, led the debate on the issue at the Scottish Parliament and said there is "vehement opposition" to the proposals in her constituency.
She said: "The alarm the Government’s approach has caused means that they must revisit this policy. To say that they will not impose this where communities are vehemently opposed actually ramps up the pressure rather than calms it down.
"Communities now must focus on demonstrating their vehement opposition rather than working with government to try and protect our seas and the livelihoods they support."
Mrs Grant stressed the policy has not been built on evidence and claimed coastal communities are already being punished because of Scottish Government policy that didn’t place these areas at its heart.
"The impact that HPMAs could have on fishing is devastating, even on the most sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of fishing.
"There have been no comparative studies to show whether or not the policy has worked. We must have robust science to guide our management of the seas," she said.
Mrs Grant said the plans along with "the abysmal management of the ferry fleet" are leading to the Scottish Government being accused of undertaking a second Highland clearance by stealth.
The Scottish Government responded by claiming the plans are still at the drawing board and it is reviewing the consultation responses.
Speaking after the debate Mrs Grant said: "The Scottish Government claim to want to protect the marine environment yet they continue to progress this legislation. No one wants to protect the seas more than the fishing communities who have harvested it for years. These proposals will do deep damage to our rural and island communities.
"This policy desperately needs a re-think and the more this SNP-Green Scottish Government drag their feet, the more infuriated communities will feel," she added.
