HPMAs plan is Highland clearances by another name
I’m from the Isle of Barra. Let me start by saying I have written this letter and scrapped it five times in an attempt to temper my frustrations and language, sadly it’s proving impossible. If I come across as emotional, I assure you that it is coming from a place of love for my community.
I find myself apocalyptically angry at the HPMAs plans for the waters surrounding our islands. That might sound extreme, but I have chosen those words to describe my feelings quite specifically. These proposals would not merely harm, damage, or decimate our communities, no, they would destroy them.
Fishing and the sea have been part of our culture from time immemorial. It is not simply part of our economy or a tradition, but an intrinsic part of our culture and who we are. It can be found in the archaeological record, it’s part of our stories and songs. Each year we have events celebrating it, from the Fisherman’s Mass to the yearly fishing competition. It would be fairly accurate to say most people on these islands have a direct connection to it. Me personally, my father, brother, uncles, grandfather, all fishermen. We have heard time and time again from politicians from all parties about how they want to protect our culture and language, how they want to rectify historical wrongs. So how is that supposed to be achieved when the places where the culture and language are the strongest are being attacked?
How is it to survive if people cannot live on these islands? For a culture and language to survive it needs its people and communities whole, not another set of cleared islands and abandoned communities.
The sea provides more than just jobs to fishermen specifically. Our biggest employer is a fish factory. We have people employed in its handling and transportation. Fishing also plays a role in our tourist industry as it provides local food to hotels and restaurants, as well as visitors exploring how it interacts with our culture. Remove that and what’s left?
Why aim these proposals at a group of fishermen who practise sustainable fishing techniques such as small boats using creels or hand diving for scallops? Creels are very selective, have no by-catch, do no harm to the seabed. This type of fishing is already highly regulated, with smaller crab and lobster being returned. The fishermen themselves have been voluntarily V-notching lobsters for years now. Why make enemies with
a group of people instead of working with them, people who could assist in the protection of the environment? Would it not make more sense to tackle the mega trawlers?
Let’s say fishing is banned. We can replace that industry with another. We are told repeatedly about the huge potential for renewable energy and hydrogen production. Barra specifically was chosen to be one of the carbon neutral islands. Sadly, much like the previously mentioned contradiction, this would not be possible, as expansion of renewables or hydrogen production is to be banned too.
This seems to be another example of decisions being made by politicians in the central belt with no regard to how it will affect the communities
further afield. The island bond scheme, ferries, NHS and now this. While I’m sure that this is well meaning, it has not been thought of in a larger policy context. If this is pushed forward it will finish what the Duke of Cumberland and the absentee landlords started. A final wave of clearances via virtue signalling.