Fishermen urging meeting over new controls

FISHERMEN have called for an urgent meeting with ministers amid concern that new management measures for marine areas will have a disastrous impact on the industry.

They are concerned that the new statutory measures, which will come into force in October giving protection to many vulnerable marine habitats, go far beyond what was discussed in the consultation and would lead to the likes of scallop dredging being banned from some areas.

Four draft Marine Conservation Orders were published by the Scottish Government last week f or Mar ine Protected Areas covering Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura; Small Isles, South Arran, and Wester Ross.

Clyde Fishermen’s Associat ion, chairman Kenny MacNab, wants to meet Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead to make clear many fishing communities are “deeply troubled” by these new measures.

Writing on behalf of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Mr MacNab said in his letter to the minister, the meeting should be held in one of the coastal communities most affected by the measures so Mr Lochhead can hear for himself the concerns of fishermen and their families. His letter said: “There is a concern over the level of exclusion felt amongst many fishing communities and the industry”.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Organisations and individuals interested in the draft Marine Conservation Orders are welcome to provide a written representation to Marine Scotland by July 12. The Government will give proper consideration to all responses and, of course, the Cabinet Secretary stands ready to meet with stakeholders.”