MP Brendan O’Hara has urged First Minister Humza Yousaf to ditch to controversial proposals to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas off the west coast of Scotland.
The Argyll and Bute MP said the plan would “have a devastating impact on the future economic viability of our already economically fragile rural and island communities”.
Writing to the First Minister on the day the consultation closed, he said the loss of the region’s remaining fishing fleet would hit the rest of the economy, with fish processors, boatyards, delivery drivers, administrators and marine engineers among those whose livelihoods would be hit.
“The loss of these jobs, and the perceived lack of any future economic opportunities for our young people, is guaranteed to drive families out of Argyll and Bute, and discourage others from coming, further accelerating what we know is an already critical depopulation crisis,” he added.
“Losing families will lead to the loss of schools and other vital services, which painful experience tells us that once they are gone, they are very, very difficult to bring back.”
Mr O’Hara said he had had extensive consultation with skippers, industry bodies, processors, and community groups over the parliamentary Easter recess.
He said preservation of the marine ecosystem had to be a priority but believed the approach being adopted by the Scottish Government currently, was one which would inevitably lead to Argyll and Bute becoming “a retirement home for the wealthy and elderly who wish to see out their remaining years in their rural idyll.”
He said fishing communities felt ‘abandoned and ignored’ by the government, but despite this there was ‘a genuine willingness on their part to work together with the Scottish Government on a long term, sustainable solution, one which can help restore our marine ecosystem, while allowing the inshore fleet to look forward to a future for them, their children and their grandchildren’.
I am surprised he had to have the discussions with the fishermen and others of the damage that would be done. Would have thought it would have been obvious.