A campaign opposing marine designation proposals on vital Western Isles fishing grounds has been launched.
Huge job losses are feared from creating marine reserves in the seas around the Hebrides.
Shellfish processing jobs will be lost and fishermen's livelihoods attacked if a raft of environmental rules are implemented, it is maintained.
The joint Comhairle fisheries industry group says it would have a devastating economic impact.
Duncan Macinnes of the Western Isles Fishermen's Association said: ‘I welcome the launch of this campaign and emphasise the utter devastation these proposals will have on local communities.
"After a period of renewed confidence in the industry, evidenced by significant vessel investment, these proposals will undermine that confidence and drive away younger potential fishermen and their families from the industry to mainland opportunities."
Representatives from the Western Isles Fishermens Association and the Comhairle are to meet directly with Scottish fisheries minister, Richard Lochhead, next week.
Opposition to environmental restrictions on fishing grounds
4 September 2015