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Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor has urged the Scottish Government to "look again" at plans to impose environmental designations on important Western Isles fishing grounds.

 

The MSP said he supports local fishermen in their fight to stop the Scottish Government from imposing environmental designations of fishing areas off the Hebrides.

 

Industry leaders warn of significant job losses from creating new marine nature reserves.

 

A significant number of shellfish processing jobs will be lost and fishermen's livelihoods attacked if a raft of marine conservation proposals are implemented, it is maintained.

 

island fishermen say they have co-existed harmonious with  the marine environment for decades.

 

Jamie  McGrigor said the Scottish Government should recognise the "importance of existing sustainable fishing activities” practiced by Western Isles' fishing boats.

 

Mr McGrigor said: " I share the genuine concerns that have been expressed by Western Isles fishermen- and the processing facilities that depend on their catch- about the economic impact of the proposed marine protected areas.

 

"I have been in contact with the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association and other fishermen’s organisations and have had representations from many constituents on this subject.

 

"Earlier in the summer I tabled a series of written Parliamentary questions on the MPAs and on Thursday  I joined the Parliament’s Rural Affairs Committee for its evidence session on the proposed MPAs where Duncan McInnes and other stakeholders emphasised the damaging impact the current proposals could have and the fact that the Scottish Government has seriously underestimated the socio-economic consequences.

 

I" am continuing to call on the Scottish Government to look again at their proposals and recognise the importance of existing sustainable fishing activities.”

 

MSP backs island fishermen over threat to jobs   

 

25 September 2015