Birds losing out

I was delighted to read 
(Platform, 13 December) that 
the Scottish Government has 
announced 33 proposed sites for marine protected areas (MPAs), but very disappointed that none of these will protect seabirds 
foraging at sea.

While MPAs are excellent for Scotland’s biodiversity, the exclusion of seabirds from the process is an opportunity missed.

MPAs are meant to protect the best, but unfortunately the current proposals do not fully achieve that ambition.

Scotland is globally important and internationally famed for its seabird populations, so the Scottish Government should be working to ensure that they are being adequately protected.

Cath Downie

Rothesay Place

Edinburgh