The Scottish Labour Candidate for Orkney, Mike Macleod, has called for the reinstatement of the three-nautical-mile ban on trawling, and also for stronger controls on fish farming, which must ultimately include closure of the worst polluters.

“Since Margaret Thatcher’s Conservatives unwisely lifted the ban on trawling within three nautical miles of the shore in 1984, the evidence is that allowing mechanised fishing has caused widespread ecological damage.  The ban had previously been in place since 1889, and for very good reasons, given the importance of the area close to shore for fish stocks.”

“Such is the political lobbying strength of the trawling industry (owned by a few wealthy Scottish families) that people forget – the fishing industry is not united on this issue.  Those fishermen who fish by creel for crab, langoustine and lobster, and hand-dive for scallops would benefit enormously once trawlers stop damaging their fishing grounds.”

“Instead of soulless mechanised trawling, we want local fishermen using their traditional skills – after all it’s their livelihood and we should trust them to manage local fishing stocks responsibly.” 

Apparently some years ago a Scottish Government expert study showed that a three-mile trawling ban would produce up to 2,700 additional jobs over 20 years and give a £1bn boost to the economy, as fish stocks grow inshore again.  Basically using traditional fishing skills instead of trawling boosts employment and economic activity.

In addition, Mr Macleod would very strongly favour the Scottish Government using the powers it already has to tackle the serious issue of ‘ghost nets’. He said –

“Back in the day, before I became a candidate and had a life, I used to go on beach cleans.  I am only too well aware that nets abandoned by trawlers will continue to trap fish and mammals for long afterwards.   The UK Merchant Shipping Regulations on the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships of 2020 should be enforced.”

Mr Macleod also expressed his deep concern over the viability of the farmed salmon industry, saying:

“Scotland needs to have a conversation about fish farming.  As in, should we be doing it at all?”

At a time of global food insecurity, there are legitimate concerns about where the feed used for salmon farming comes from.  Some of this, such as Mackerel, could be eaten by humans instead.  Since Scotland apparently has higher mortality rates for farmed salmon than Norway, therefore more feedstock is wasted here pro rata.

The argument used to be that the industry brought jobs to remote areas, but the multinationals are increasingly automating.  The jobs have been going for years.  And as the Bakkafrost closure in the Western Isles showed, multinationals will ruthlessly close an operation once they consider it unviable, with no concern for the local community.

It is understood that the areas around fish farm sites are increasingly becoming sterile, due to the medicines and chemicals used by the farms, which impact shellfish larvae, including crab, lobster, scallops, etc. 

Mr Macleod stated –

“Anne Anderson of Scottish Sea Farms has proposed having fewer, larger fish farms further out to sea.  A fish farm is a three-dimensional activity, and in deeper, more vigorous waters the argument is the fish can cope with sea lice better.  This idea may be worth exploring.”  

“Scottish Labour proposes stronger regulation on aquaculture, and I greatly welcome this.  However it would seem the reality of the damage caused by fish farming – including to other fishing industries – is so bad that we will have to start closing fish farms.  After following due process, Regulators should, if there is no improvement in mortality and pollution rates, terminate the licences of the worst offenders.”

“On a personal note, I won’t be eating farmed salmon anytime soon.”

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Elections to The Scottish Parliament take place on Thursday 7 May. There are 5 candidates for the Orkney Constituency.

• John William COUPLAND – Reform UK
• Jamie HALCRO JOHNSTON – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
• Robert Fraser LESLIE – Scottish National Party (SNP)
• Mike MACLEOD – Scottish Labour Party
• Liam Scott MCARTHUR – Scottish Liberal Democrats