MSPs urged to ban the ‘vandalism’ of seaweed trawling

DOZENS of businesses and trade bodies have signed a joint letter pleading with MSPs to impose a ban on the ‘environmental vandalism’ of industrialscale kelp dredging.

A Scottish firm wants to trawl the seabed off the West Coast to collect the lucrative type of seaweed, which is used in food and pharmaceuticals.

But the application by Ayrbased Marine Biopolymers has sparked a backlash from coastal and seafood firms and fishermen, amid fears that it could damage the seabed and harm fish and shellfish.

Holyrood’s environment committee will vote tomorrow on whether or not to impose a ban.

An open letter to Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and the members of the committee has been signed by 65 firms or trade bodies. It states: ‘Allowing this current – or any future – application to dredge wild kelp in Scotland’s inshore waters, would not only be environmental vandalism, but would impede the abilities of our coastal communities to continue to sustain themselves.’

Among those who have signed the letter are the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation, the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association and Ridgeways Adventure, of West Sutherland.

Marine Biopolymers’ proposal could eventually see a reported 30,000 tons of the seaweed gathered each year.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are committed to protecting our marine environment and there are processes in place to achieve this.’

‘Could harm fish and shellfish’