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MSPs held @scotparl debate on measures to recover #ourseas this week. Clear recognition from MSPs that more action is needed to #bringbackthefish
#ICYMI https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=13017&i=117715#ScotParlOR Here’s some highlights….
#ICYMI https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=13017&i=117715#ScotParlOR Here’s some highlights….
Kenneth Gibson MSP led the motion calling for more #NoTakeZones, explaining the history of over-exploitation and valuable role of @ArranCoast in helping pioneer recovery in Lamlash Bay
The history of this is important. In 1984, the UK Govt removed the ban on bottom-trawling close to shore - @JoanMcAlpine told parliament the impact of that has been clear to see.
And yet Scottish Government has denied a proposed inshore trawling closure between Skye and the mainland - a decision now being challenged in court by local fishermen https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/scotland-business/2733313/creel-fishermen-in-drastic-action-call-amid-battle-over-west-coast-prawns/
. @JohnFinnieHI highlighted concerns that mismanagement risks undermining fisheries for future generations
The impacts have been profound. @claudiabeamish makes the case for a #bluerecovery, saying that measures to protect seabeds will revive fish populations and benefit the fishing industry.
Paul Wheelhouse - standing in for @MairiGougeon - maintained that the environmental impacts of some fisheries are being partially addressed by new tracking systems
But these are delayed - and in the meantime, illegal dredging and unsustainable fishing practices continue to undermine efforts to protect #ourseas
This underlines a big issue. On paper Scottish Govt have doubled protection to 37% of Scotland’s marine area, but what does this mean? In reality only 5% of Scotland’s coastal seas are protected from damaging fisheries https://twitter.com/TheOpenSeas/status/1337400516389777409
Introducing new #NoTakeZones and a broader #inshorelimit to incentivise sustainable fishing will help reverse damage to our marine ecosystem, revive fish populations and increase returns to the fishing industry. We need a connected approach to secure a blue recovery.
Scotland’s fisheries are a public resource, so let’s manage them for the public benefit. Here are some numbers to help put this important political debate in context https://www.openseas.org.uk/news/scotlands-fisheries-in-numbers/
