Leading environment charities have today (26 October) launched a major campaign action to help the public to respond to a large-scale Scottish government consultation on protections for Scotland’s seas.
Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of more than 50 charities including the Marine Conservation Society and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, says the consultation is the biggest opportunity in decades to protect and restore wildlife in Scotland’s coastal waters.
The environment groups have opened a dedicated website to help people quickly and easily send an email response to the consultation, and have published a guide to help those who want to submit a more detailed response.
The consultation, open until 18 January, asks for views on proposals to restrict certain types of fishing gear in Scotland’s inshore marine protected areas – those within 12 nautical miles from the shore – depending on the wildlife in each one.
Marine protected areas were designated to protect the diverse ocean species and habitats around Scotland’s coast. The Scottish government was due to implement fishing restrictions in 2016, but a decade later many of those areas still have no restrictions in place.
Bottom trawlers and dredgers are still allowed to sweep across sensitive seabed habitats like maerl and native oyster beds where fish and shellfish grow, destroying marine life and the ecosystems that sustain it.
And ocean wildlife like seabirds, whales, dolphins and basking sharks are put at risk by fishing gear such as lines and nets in which they are often accidentally entangled and killed.
The environment charities say it’s vital that fishing restrictions are tailored to each area, depending on the wildlife within it, and that they’re strong enough to let that wildlife thrive.
The charities are urging people to respond to the consultation calling on the Scottish government to introduce restrictions based on scientific evidence of the harm caused to marine wildlife. They believe implementing such restrictions is an essential step to helping Scotland’s seas recover and restoring the fish and shellfish stocks on which many coastal communities rely for their livelihoods.
Calum Duncan, Principal Policy Specialist at the Marine Conservation Society, said:
“Scotland’s seas are globally important, yet fragile seabed habitats like maerl, flameshell beds and seagrass meadows remain vulnerable to damaging fishing practices. Scientific evidence shows that protecting these habitats from damaging activities boosts marine life and locks up carbon, whilst supporting our coastal communities and more ocean friendly fishing practices.
Ten years ago, we were promised better protection for inshore marine protected areas. Now, the Scottish Government has an opportunity to act on the evidence. We urge everyone to respond to the consultation and call for meaningful restrictions that will protect these special places long into the future.”
Jessica Jones, Marine Policy Manager at Scottish Wildlife Trust and vice-convenor of Scottish Environment LINK’s marine group, said:
“This is a huge opportunity for communities across Scotland to have their say on how they would like to see the Marine Protected Areas and priority species and habitats outside of that network managed. From Ayrshire to Moray, Argyll to the Outer Hebrides, our work with coastal communities through the Sea the Connection project has made clear the huge amount of local marine knowledge that’s missing from policy conversations, as well as a common desire to be heard by decision makers. I would urge everyone who has an interest in our unique coastal areas to share their views. Whether you use Scotland’s seas for work or for leisure, whether you live by the sea or inland, whether you’re a young person or retired, everyone has shared stewardship of Scotland’s seas, and your voice matters.”
Take action: Tell the Scottish government to protect Scotland’s seas by sending a message here.
Featured image by Alison Moore