HPMAs: Scotland's fishing sector demands rollback on no-fishing zones over fears ministers will 'rebrand' policy in coming statement

Fishing sector calls for ministers to scrap the controversial plans rather than “rebrand” them.

Campaign groups have stepped up pressure on their demands for a rollback on highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) ahead of a key statement by the Scottish Government today.

The policy would ban fishing in at least 10 per cent of Scotland’s waters, which ministers have said will help marine eco-systems to recover and thrive. Critics, however, said the proposals will put fishing communities at risk, with some going as far as comparing the policy to the Highland Clearances.

Scotland highly protected marine areas: What are they and why are plans being criticised?

Campaign groups have stepped up pressure on their demands for a rollback on highly protected marine areas ahead of a statement by the Scottish Government today (pic: Jeff J Mitchell)

Fishing industry sources have suggested the Scottish Government is weighing up revising the set percentage of waters that will be designated as highly protected areas around Scotland’s coastline.

It comes after a Government consultation to the controversial HPMA policy, which closed last month, sparked more than 4,400 responses before the deadline, with another consultation due to take place in 2025.

Whales Scotland: Why are we seeing whales washed up on Scottish shores?

Ahead of the planned statement, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) warned ministers must scrap the policies altogether, fearing ministers were just going to “rebrand” the proposals, but make no genuine change to policy.

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said: “The Scottish Government needs to scrap it, not rebrand it, and carry out a complete rethink without pandering to the Greens, whose desire to halt legitimate economic activity with a low carbon footprint is dangerous and damaging.”

The organisation has repeatedly said the unpopular policy “lacks scientific rationale” and there has been zero stakeholder involvement from the outset.

A potential seismic shift of the Scotland's marine area lies ahead, but what about the fishing communities who make up part of its landscape?

Scottish Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton said whatever the Parliamentary statement reveals, her party would not change its position on calling for HPMAs to be scrapped altogether.

"The fishing community are vehemently opposed to this incredibly unpopular policy,” she said, speaking ahead of the announcement. It will just put lives at risk.”

Ms Hamilton added: “This statement will likely be a thinly-veiled segue because the Scottish Government has clearly looked at the responses to the consultation and they would have found that there was no appetite whatsoever for their proposals.”

Scottish land: Six community groups receive £2.5m funding for developments amid concern buyouts are 'plateauing'

SNP MP Angus MacNeil is among his party’s politicians to condemn HPMAs, alongside former Government minister Fergus Ewing, who was seen ripping up a hard copy of the plans in a Parliament session. Mr MacNeil said: “The ministers have to roll back. There’s no question about it.”

Speaking about the possibility of a reduction in the percentage of waters to be dedicated as HPMAs, Mr MacNeil said: “Reducing the percentage wouldn’t make any difference on how it might impact some fishing communities because even if it was reduced to just 1 per cent, where is that 1 per cent going to fall? It could still wipe out a whole fishing community.

"They have to include and bring the fishing community with them.”

Royal Highland Show: Why the first two days felt bittersweet for Scotland's agriculture community

It has been reported the Scottish Government is in discussion with the UK Government about seeking more powers to allow it to extend the areas in which it can designate HPMAs.

The Scottish Parliament only has control of the sea up to 12 nautical miles from the shore, which is less than a fifth of what is regarded as Scotland’s sea area. Responsibility and control of the remaining four-fifths lies with ministers south of the border.

The UK Government, however, appears to be in no mood to increase the power devolved to Scotland. UK ministers has recently blocked two Scottish Government initiatives – the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and the deposit return scheme – because of their alleged impact on the rest of the UK.

While a UK Government pilot scheme for HPMAs is set to begin next month, with three zones in English waters to be given the special status, Rishi Sunak has previously insisted Holyrood ministers should reconsider their HPMA proposals.

The Prime Minister was urged by a Highland MP to intervene to protect "deeply" concerned constituents.

Former Scotland finance secretary Kate Forbes warned people, not wildlife, could become the "endangered species" in Highland and island areas.

The HPMA proposal is the result of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party. The Greens have agreed to vote for the minority SNP administration’s legislation in the Scottish Parliament in return for influence over the Government’s policy and two ministerial posts.

Fishers, fish farmers, and coastal area councils and politicians have warned HPMAs would have devastating consequences for the fragile rural communities that rely on the sea for a living.