NTS calls for more marine protected areas

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has called for the country’s marine protected area (MPA) network to be extended.

The charity has written a manifesto ahead of Thursday’s election that outlines a vision to strengthen management, protection and enforcement measures within the network.

There are currently 239 MPA sites designated to protect and preserve marine wildlife, habitats, geology and cultural heritage.

Diarmid Hearns, head of public policy at NTS, said MPA status does not automatically deliver protection to those areas and there are several issues the government has to address.

The protection of priority Marine features (PMFs), which include grey seals and minke whales, is another topic of concern NTS raises.

Mr Hearns said: “Our PMFs are meant to be protected by MPAs but many sit outside the network”.

In 2017 Scottish ministers issued an order to designate an emergency MPA in Loch Carron following dredging damage caused to the world’s largest expanse of flame shell beds.

A further 16 sites were added in December 2020.

Mr Hearns added: “We believe it is possible to have a wellmanaged marine environment and a sustainable fisheries sector – as well as use the sea sustainably for other social and economic uses such as tourism.

“The MPA network needs to be the foundation for this, creating a network where marine life can regenerate, ultimately benefitting all of Scotland’s seas.”

NTS is calling on all parties to commit to signing the manifesto.