June 30, 2023

Scotland drops plans for highly protected marine areas, salmon farming sector relieved

The Scottish government's recent decision to abandon its proposal for a network of highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), which would have likely prohibited aquaculture, has brought immense relief to the salmon farming industry, The Fish Site reported.

Originally, the plan aimed to safeguard 10% of Scotland's seas from various commercial activities, including aquaculture and fishing, by 2026. But due to extensive opposition from coastal communities and numerous politicians, including prominent members of the Scottish National Party, the government announced today that the initiative "will not be progressed."

The consultation on HPMAs received a significant response, with approximately 4,000 submissions. Many of the respondents expressed concerns that the proposals would devastate fragile coastal communities that rely on fishing and aquaculture. To oppose the HPMAs, a seafood alliance representing the fishing, aquaculture, and processing sectors was formed, which launched a petition against the plans.

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said that HPMAs united coastal communities and MSPs in total opposition, as they posed a risk of banning all human activity from vast swathes of Scotland's coastline.

Scott said they welcome the Scottish government's confirmation that HPMAs, as currently conceived, will be scrapped, adding that the decision comes as a massive relief to salmon farmers and others who were concerned about the impact on their jobs.

In lieu of the HPMAs, the Scottish Government has pledged to allocate more time to collaborate with industry, communities, and conservation organisations to enhance marine protection. Furthermore, they will support groups interested in pursuing community-led marine protection in their local areas on an expedited timeline. Examples of such initiatives include those in Lamlash Bay on Arran and St Abbs and Eyemouth in Berwickshire.

-      The Fish Site