The Scottish Government has initiated a public consultation on proposed fisheries management measures within Scotland’s offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
This initiative aims to address environmental concerns by potentially banning certain types of fishing equipment across 20 sites in Scotland’s seas.
However, this proposal has sparked significant debate, particularly among those in the fishing industry.
Buckie-based Scottish Conservative MSP Tim Eagle said: “These proposals from the Scottish Government to ban certain types of equipment will heighten fishermen’s concerns about being squeezed out of large areas of the sea.
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“This consultation comes when our fishing industry is already worried that the SNP’s reckless HPMA proposals will reappear under a different guise in the future.
“The Scottish Government must work with the sector to conduct an evidence-based approach to marine planning decisions at a time when 37% of Scottish waters are already protected under the existing MPA network.
“Spatial squeeze is among the biggest fears within the fishing industry which is why it’s vital as many people as possible respond to this consultation.
“Living along the North East coastline myself, I know, like many, that fishing helps to form the lifeblood of our coastal communities and it’s imperative the industry has a voice at the table for shaping policy.”
