Statement on offshore MPA management measures

The SFF today welcomed the Scottish Government’s “common sense” announcement of management measures for offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said: “By adopting a sensible, zonal approach to management measures within offshore MPAs, the Scottish Government has remained true to the founding principles of these areas, which is to protect sensitive features without banning fishing altogether.

“This followed a lengthy period of negotiation, with appropriate trade-offs, proving that constructive dialogue can lead to the co-existence of conservation and sustainable use.

“We hope that this model can be replicated when it comes to the introduction of management measures in inshore MPAs and any measures designed for Priority Marine Features and the Marine and Coastal Restoration plan.

“The contrast with the UK Government’s approach to English MPAs, where bottom trawling is to be banned, is stark.”

Ms Macdonald added: “Scottish Ministers have shown that when it comes to these MPAs, they have been willing to adopt common sense measures based on dialogue, compromise and trust – it is high time that they followed suit on offshore wind projects, which in some areas threaten to squeeze the fishing industry out of existence on the scale currently planned.”