More protection for Scotland’s seas
Proposals for four new Marine Protected Areas (MPAS) in Scotland have been unveiled by the Scottish Government.
The areas are North East Lewis, Shiant East Bank in the middle of the Minch, the Southern Trench in the outer Moray Firth and the Sea of the Hebrides including the islands of Rùm and Eigg. If approved, it would make Scotland the first country in the world to provide designated areas of protection to specific species.
Covering a combined area of more than 5,000 square miles, the new MPAS aim to protect species like minke whales and Risso’s dolphins and a wide range of biodiversity and geological features including fronts – cool nutrient-rich waters that are important feeding grounds for many marine species.
Scotland currently has 231 MPAS, covering 22% of Scottish waters.
In its consultation documents, Marine Scotland states that the new designated areas will not have an economic impact on recreational sailing, although ports and harbours could face increased costs for extra environmental assessments for new development projects including dredging and reclamation.
Restrictions on noisy activity in whale and basking shark season between April and October and Risso’s dolphin high season between May and October are also proposed, and vessels will have a 6 knot limit within Shark Awareness Zones.
Sailor and marine engagement specialist, Sarah Brown said the proposed extension to the MPA network in Scotland has a lot of benefits to recreational boating.
‘None of the suggested management measures should impact our activities unnecessarily and, if effective, they stand to protect and enhance the wildlife we all love so much. Every time we go to sea we see something special, from basking sharks to minke whales. Every time I check Scottish sailing social media, I see people celebrating great wildlife encounters. If a cohesive network of MPA’S supports that wildlife then I am all for it!’ she stressed.
Brown added that ‘having healthier seas can only support the development of sailing tourism in Scotland’. This is a key strand of Scotland’s Awakening the Giant marine tourism strategy 2015-2020, which aims to increase marine tourism from £360 million to £450 million, and sailing tourism from £105 million to £145 million.
Sailors wishing to respond to the consultation should visit: consult.gov. scot/marine-scotland/four-newmarine-protected-areas/. It closes on 30 August 2019.