New First Minister urged to bin HPMA fishing ban

The new First Minister Humza Yousaf has been urged by an islands MP in his own party to scrap controversial plans to ban fishing in 10 per cent of Scottish waters.

The Scottish Government launched a consultation on designating at least 10 per cent of Scottish seas as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) by 2026, with a view to selecting sites in 2025.

The Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is formally opposed to the proposals, and Shetland Islands Council has expressed “significant concerns”.

From within Mr Yousaf’s own party, the SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Angus MacNeil called on him to drop the plans.

Last week Mr MacNeil wrote to the minister for environment and land reform, SNP MSP Mairi McAllan, to stress the strength of feeling against the proposals in the islands.

“There is not a person I know who is in favour of HPMAs. In fact, many people fear for their livelihoods if the plans go ahead,” he said.

“Some people say, ‘A new broom sweeps clean’, so the new First Minister has a chance to sweep away the clutter of the past and the HPMAs would be a good place to start.”

From the party’s opposition, the Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron also urged Mr Yousaf to drop the plans.

“We all want to do more to protect our environment, but I believe that these plans could have a catastrophic impact for our fishing industry, particularly the nephrops sector, and have a negative effect on many coastal communities,” he said.

“The commitment may well have been made as part of the Bute House Agreement. But many of my constituents, as well as a number of organisations and businesses, have expressed legitimate and significant concerns about the unintended consequences.

“I appreciate Humza Yousaf is just in the door, but dropping these plans would be a sign to the people of the Highlands and islands that he is on their side.

“The Scottish Government must look towards evidence-based ways of protecting and enhancing our marine environment, while also supporting our vital and varied fishing industry and coastal communities in general.”

In a defence of HPMAs, Ariane Burgess, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “Globally, there is a renewed focus on protecting and restoring marine habitats, as shown by the High Seas Treaty and the commitment by many governments, including Scotland’s, to protect 30 per cent of our land and seas for nature by 2030.

“The Government is proposing HPMAs that will exclude activities that can damage the seabed and marine wildlife, such as fishing, anchoring and construction; this is currently being explored through a public consultation.

“HPMAs are like savings accounts, with an investment in nature set aside that grows like compound interest. Already in use in other territories, the benefits are being felt not just for nature, but also for coastal businesses that benefit from increased tourism, diving and water sports, nature spotting trips and more, and for nearby fisheries.”

The proposals are currently under consultation with a closing date of Monday April 17.

‘The Scottish Government must look for evidence-based ways of protecting and enhancing our marine environment, while also supporting our vital and varied fishing industry and coastal communities in general.’