As the deadline for responses to the Scottish Government's Highly Protected Marine Areas consultation passes, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has called for the controversial SNP/Green HPMA proposals to be dropped.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “As the Scottish Government’s consultation on HPMAs closes, I hope SNP ministers will finally start listening to the views of residents, fishermen and other local stakeholders across the Highlands and Islands.
“We all want to see our marine environment protected, but that can be achieved by taking an evidence-led approach and by working with coastal communities and with those whose local knowledge and experience should be at the heart of decision making around protecting our marine environment.
“The SNP/Green coalition’s plans for HPMAs risk doing serious and irreversible damage to our fishing sector and to communities across Scotland.
“That the Scottish Government appears determined to push ahead with these plans - despite widespread opposition to them - shows just what a dangerous chokehold the Scottish Greens have over the SNP and over rural policy.
“It is vital that we protect jobs and livelihoods in these fragile rural and coastal communities, and local SNP MSPs must play their part in opposing their government’s plans.
“Ministers in Edinburgh should drop these proposals and go back to the drawing board to develop an evidence-based approach which can be delivered in agreement with our fishing industry and local coastal communities”.
