"Extremely disappointing": Scottish Fishermen's Federation slams proposed UK ban on bottom trawling in marine protected areas

The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) recently issued a response to the UK Government's proposed ban on bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs).

"It is extremely disappointing that the UK Government seems to have caved to the emotional, unevidenced siren calls of the environmental NGOs and Sir David Attenborough and announced a ban on trawling in English MPAs," said Elspeth Macdonald, SFF Chief Executive Officer.

Macdonald and the SFF issued the response after UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed stated that bottom trawling, "is damaging precious marine wildlife and habitats," and could leave the world's oceans "irreversibly destroyed."

"We are sure that the Scottish Government will take a much more intelligent, grown up and responsible approach to the rules and regulations around fishing in Scotland’s MPAs, one that is based on scientific evidence and allows coexistence between conservation and sustainable use," said Macdonald.

She added that the banning of bottom trawling in such an, "arbitrary and ignorant fashion," would result in people losing their jobs and deprive "marginal communities" of much-needed income.

"Far more carbon-intensive forms of food production will also be required in its place, ultimately defeating the very ends [that the ban's] campaigners hope to achieve," Macdonald concluded.