The Scottish authorities has scrapped its controversial plan to limit fishing in 10% of Scotland’s waters following an uproar from coastal communities.
Internet Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan confirmed the plan to introduce extremely protected marine areas (HPMAs) by 2026 will not go forward on Thursday.
As a substitute, she stated a brand new means ahead will probably be developed with a view to creating Scotland « nature-positive » by 2030.
Teams representing fishing industries had been strongly against the HPMA proposals and a few SNP MSPs joined within the criticism.
Ms McAllan advised MSPs on Thursday: « I’ve listened intently and am in little doubt of the robust views each for and towards.
« But when there was one constant level of consensus, it’s that doing nothing shouldn’t be an choice.
« The truth is, we all know from a current government-funded survey that 85% of Scottish respondents contemplate defending the marine setting as necessary to them.
« I can verify at this time that the proposal as consulted on won’t be progressed.
« This implies we’ll not search to implement HPMAs throughout 10% of Scotland’s seas by 2026. »
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Elspeth Macdonald, chief govt of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, welcomed the transfer to scrap the « flawed » HPMAs.
She stated: « Ministers will now have to reassure folks that they don’t seem to be merely intent on introducing the identical coverage by the again door.
« The seafood sector has set out a transparent pathway on how we will work with authorities to strike the proper stability between nature conservation and sustainable use, and the take a look at for presidency now’s to ship upon that. »
A spokesman for the charity Open Seas stated: « Though Open Seas help the acknowledged goals of HPMAs, we’ve got maintained severe considerations in regards to the strategy taken up to now to implement them.
« The Scottish authorities at the moment are studying a tough lesson that deep neighborhood engagement and participation is key to taking motion for the setting.
« The HPMA debate has diverted some consideration from the routine environmental injury to Scotland’s coastal seabed brought on by scallop dredging and bottom-trawling. »
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