Ministers urged to ‘stop delaying’ marine protections as thousands sign petition

Ministers are being urged to “stop delaying and start protecting” the waters around Scotland from “damaging” fishing practices.

More than 16,500 people have signed a petition calling for at least 30% of the country’s inshore waters to be protected form dredging and bottom trawling – amid concerns such practices can impact marine life on the seabed.

The Our Seas coalition, which is made up of more than 160 different groups wants the Scottish Government to act on the issue within its first 100 days.

It made the plea ahead of handing over the petition to agriculture and marine minister Jim Fairlie on Tuesday – the same day that a demonstration is due to take place at Holyrood.

Speaking ahead of that, Phil Taylor, director Open Seas, which is part of the Our Seas coalition, said: “Over the past few decades we’ve seen wildlife and habitats around our coasts go into decline.

“Iconic species, in some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, have been put under greater and greater pressure due to a failure to properly manage our inshore waters.”

He insisted, if protections are put in place, “key habitats can and will recover” and said: “We know life will return to our seas if it is given the time and space to do so.

“The Scottish Government has committed to introduce real protections for these areas, but we can’t wait any longer.

“We need ministers to act now, and introduce new protections, based in evidence, to protect marine eco-systems and safeguard the futures of the coastal communities that rely on them.”

Bally Philp, national co-ordinator for the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation, said that since protections were reduced in the mid-1980 “our inshore fish populations and the fishing fleet that depends on them have declined dramatically”.

But he said: “If we give inshore waters proper protection from high impact, low employment, mobile gear, we can rebuild fish stocks, support low-impact fishing and create more jobs in coastal communities.

“This is a clear win-win for Scotland’s seas and Scotland’s fishing industry.”

Joe Richards, Scotland project manager at the Blue Marine Foundation, said: “The Scottish public is tired of waiting. More than 16,500 people have added their names to a simple call – stop delaying and start protecting Scotland’s coastal seas.

“For too long, fragile seabed habitats and the fish nurseries our coastal fishing communities depend on have been neglected and remain exposed to bottom-trawling and dredging.”

He added: “Astonishingly, most of Scotland’s coastal, marine protected areas, designated over a decade ago, still lack meaningful management or protection from damaging activities.

“Our coastal waters are becoming devoid of life and we are losing fishing boats and coastal jobs as a result.”

Mr Richards added: “Scotland’s seas do not need more warm words or broken promises.

“They need protection from high-impact fishing, a fair transition for fishing communities, and clear action to safeguard at least 30% of our coastal waters.”

Marine Minister Jim Fairlie said: “Scottish Ministers take the protection and restoration of the marine environment seriously and I am happy to meet with representatives to receive their petition and hear their concerns.

“I appreciate that there will be differing views about how best to manage the incredible natural resources we have and I and my colleagues across Government will work with all partners to ensure that we are responsible custodians of our seas.”