” we’d been for a walk round the Loch of Ayre, Holm and were coming back along the side of the Loch nearest to the road when we saw a Cormorant, struggling. It was between the edge of the water and a big patch of Flag-irises.”
The Scottish Government is consulting on the introduction of electronic tracking and monitoring technology for small fishing vessels. The consultation is one part of a package of new fisheries measures.
“Men and engines grunting and hauling,/The nets dripping, the folds falling;” Naomi Mitchison
August 14-18 in Shetland with Jim, Orkney with Felicity, Outer Hebrides (South) with Sheriene and Outer Hebrides (North) with Becca.
“We welcome that the Scottish Government appears to have listened to businesses and communities and recognised that its policy on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) covering at least 10% of our seas is flawed and should be scrapped.” Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
“I have never known my constituency to be apparently so unanimously opposed to any single policy as this one in all my time serving as their MSP. That opposition is not only from those who are involved in the fishing industry—literally everyone locally who has spoken or written to me on the issue has expressed total opposition to the proposals as they stand.” Alasdair Allan SNP MSP, Na h- Eileanan an Iar
“The song encapsulates the fury that is felt by rural communities. It is imperative that this SNP-Green Government listen and re-think the policy and I look forward to debating it in the Chamber.”
Scottish Ministers are already committed to designating ‘at least 10% of Scotland’s seas as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) by 2026’ because of their power sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.
Resistance is growing in Scotland’s island and coastal communities to the Scottish Government’s proposals to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas.
What the current impact assessments don’t do is factor in the wider implications for wildlife and biodiversity on proposed large scale developments.
