MSP tells minister ‘people are also endangered’
MARINE areas restricted from activities by people were at the forefront of questioning at the Scottish Parliament last week as Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant questioned the minister for rural affairs, Richard Lochhead.
Ms Grant took to the floor to ask about the impact the recently sanctioned Marine Protected Area (MPA) designations would have on island and fishing communities and what steps the Scottish Government would take to mitigate the effects on those communities.
Speaking in parliament last Thursday, Ms Grant asked Mr Lochhead what social and economic impact assessments the government had carried out on the impact of MPAs.
She also asked how many jobs would be lost on shore and at sea in these locations as a result of their designation.
Ms Grant then asked what compensation would be offered to workers affected by ensuing job losses and if Mr Lochhead would set up a Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) in each of the affected areas.
After the parliamentary session, Ms Grant said: ‘I again tried to emphasise to the minister the impact these MPAs could have on our fishing industry.
‘Industry leaders have condemned the new restrictions stating that they go well beyond what was necessary to meet the biodiversity aim and will cost jobs in our fragile communities.
‘The minister chose to ignore the industry experts and also the fishermen, who have protected the marine environment for generations, and pressed ahead with all but three of the MPAs.
‘He appears not to grasp the importance of the fishing industry to island and fishing communities.
‘Fishing is one of the last sustainable industries on the islands and the implementation of these MPAs could pose a threat to the fishing industry and island communities.
‘Because these MPAs will become a reality, I asked him to set up PACE groups in the affected communities in order to provide alternative employment for those affected. He gave me no such commitment, ignoring the points I made.’
Ms Grant continued: ‘ People living in these fragile communities are committed to the environment, that is why we have fantastic biodiversity which these designations seek to protect.
‘However, people are also an endangered species in these areas and need to be afforded protection. It would not be onerous for him to compensate them and commit to providing alternative employment as recognition of their role in protecting our environment.’