Douglas Lumsden MSP has signed an industry-led petition calling on the SNP-Green Government to halt its “deeply damaging” plans for HPMAs.
At Holyrood, Douglas joined colleagues Liam Kerr and Alexander Burnett to support the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation’s (SFF) campaign against the government’s plans to ban fishing, aquaculture and harvesting in at least 10% of Scotland’s seas.
Industry leaders including Elspeth Macdonald of the SFF, Scottish Seafood Association chief executive Jimmy Buchan and Ian Gatt of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association were at parliament to express their concerns over the proposals.
The Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly urged the SNP-Green Government to explain why the amount of HPMA coverage in Scottish waters needs to be almost twenty times as much as the UK Government’s plans for English waters (0.53%).
The SFF has backed the calls from the Conservatives, stating 37% of Scottish waters are already protected under the existing MPA network while describing the plans as “government greenwashing” and “prioritising political objectives over good policy-making and decision-taking”.
After signing the petition, Liam Kerr MSP said: “I fully support this petition which is a signal of intent from the fishing industry that they will not back down over these destructive proposals.
“The SNP-Green coalition have no understanding of, or interest in, the needs of coastal communities across the north-east which is why they are pressing ahead with this harmful policy.
“We will continue to fight the fishing industry’s corner against a Scottish Government that can’t see beyond the Central Belt.”
Douglas Lumsden MSP, added: “The industry made it clear outside parliament that these proposals are unworkable and will do more harm than good.
“They are absolutely right to express their anger at these reckless plans which threaten to destroy jobs and livelihoods across our coastal communities.
“These plans must be sunk by Humza Yousaf as a matter or urgency, even if it upsets his coalition partners.”
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid, who also supports the petition, said: “This campaign highlights the strength of anger among fishermen over the SNP-Green government’s deeply damaging HPMA proposals.
“Throughout the consultation process, the Scottish Government failed to engage with our fishing sector who have been left with no choice but to make their voice heard at Holyrood.
“The SNP-Green coalition have had countless chances to address these concerns but instead keep treating the industry like it doesn’t exist.
“The fishing industry is not against conservation and sustainability but the Scottish Government should take the opportunity on Thursday to go back to the drawing board and scrap its current HPMA plans.”
