Inshore fishermen on Scotland’s west coast seek an urgent meeting with Richard Lochhead, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, over the impacts of recently announced Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Saying the restrictions came to them as a “bombshell,” a letter from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) says fishing communities are “deeply troubled” by the new measures, and that fishermen are feeling excluded from the process.
“Fishermen are first-hand stakeholders and sustainable users and guardians of the marine environment. Projects like the recently celebrated Fishing for Litter scheme and the continuing efforts in conjunction with Marine Scotland to improve gear selectivity go some way to demonstrating our industry’s progressive commitment,” wrote Clyde Fishermen’s Association chairman Kenny MacNab on behalf of the SFF.
“Many industry representatives feel they positively and genuinely participated throughout the MPA consultation process in good faith. It would certainly have been possible for the fishing industry to lobby publicly against the management measures process earlier had we known the full extent of the outcome. However we were willing and engaged in what we perceived to be a transparent and fair process. Currently fishing representatives, and in turn their communities, have been left confused and let down. More than this the Scottish economy and brand for quality seafood could be impeded dramatically.”
