Proposals for a series of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA) have been scrapped, the Scottish Government has confirmed. Proposals had previously been put forward to create HPMAs in at least 10% of Scotland’s waters – which would have restricted fishing and other activities.

Plans to deliver increased protection for Scotland’s marine environment will be revised, with a new pathway and timetable, Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan announced. This follows a nationwide consultation on the controversial proposals.

Instead, the Scottish Government says it will take more time to work with industry, communities and conservation organisations to enhance marine protection, while supporting any groups that wish to pursue community-led marine protection in their local area on a quicker timescale.

McAllan said: “We chose to consult as early and widely as possible on the principles of HPMAs, with no pre-determined sites.

“It has always been, and continues to be, this government’s plan to work cooperatively with communities to identify how and where to enhance marine protection in a way that minimises impact and maximises opportunity. Therefore, while we remain firmly committed to the outcome of enhanced marine protection, the proposal as consulted on will not be progressed.

A “sigh of relief”

Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart said there will be a “sigh of relief that the government has finally accepted that it got this badly wrong”.

Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, welcomed the move to scrap the “flawed” HPMAs.

She said: “Ministers will now need to reassure people that they are not simply intent on introducing the same policy by the back door.

“The seafood sector has set out a clear pathway on how we can work with government to strike the right balance between nature conservation and sustainable use, and the test for government now is to deliver upon that.

Advocates say “no-take zones” are a moderate step, widely used across Europe and piloted in England by the UK government, and that they are essential for the recovery of depleted coastal fish stocks and seabed. Local attempts to “rewild” the sea, such as the no-take zone established in 2008 in Lamlash Bay on Arran, have been successful, they add.

Phil Taylor, the director of the conservation charity Open Seas, who previously spoke of “complete entrenchment” over the proposals, said: “The Scottish government are now learning an important lesson that deep community engagement and participation is fundamental to effective environmental action.”

“Although Open Seas support the stated aims of HPMAs, we have maintained serious concerns about the approach taken so far to implement them.”

“The HPMA debate has diverted some attention from the routine environmental damage to Scotland’s coastal seabed caused by scallop dredging and bottom-trawling.”

Reaction from Scottish Environment LINK

Calum Duncan, Head of Conservation Scotland at the Marine Conservation Society and Convener of Scottish Environment LINK s Marine Group, said:

“The evidence is absolutely clear that full protection of areas of our seas, like HPMAs, is a very effective conservation tool, which in turn can benefit the fishing industry. This approach is well established globally, and in line with the EU’s target of 10% strict protection by 2030. It must be matched if we’re to have hope of reversing the ocean emergency.

“While the scientific case for better marine management is inarguable, it’s also essential that the implementation is well managed and community voices are heard.

“The Cabinet Secretary’s commitment to build greater consensus across all stakeholders is welcome. There must be renewed commitment following the full analysis of all consultations. Our ocean needs action not words.”

A statement on ‘next steps for marine protection’ from the Scottish Government can be read here. The Government has said a full response to the consultation and the next steps will be published after summer recess.