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Struan Stevenson |
SCOTS Euro MP Struan Stevenson has called for the creation of specially designated zones for fishing as well as the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) where little or no fishing would be allowed.
Speaking at the Natura 2000 and Fisheries conference yesterday in the European Parliament, Mr Stevenson said there are a multitude of pressures on our seas and a vast range of conflicting demands, all of which can impact on the fisheries sector.
He added: "If you take into account all our coastal and outermost regions we have over 320,000 km of coastline, which is home to one third of the EU’s total population. Marine-based industries and services and the other activities of these coastal regions, account for 40% of EU GDP.
“A long-term strategy to maintain coastal defences and protect against rising sea-levels will have to take account of and seek to minimise habitat loss."
He said that, if the full potential of Europe’s maritime interests is to be realised, along with the vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas, then Europe has to implement a management plan that aims for sustainability in every area.
“A sustainable fishing industry helps to meet this criterion and I believe the best way to achieve this is to devolve more management responsibility to RACs (regional advisory councils).
"I am certain that we can use Natura 2000 sites as a necessary management tool in this process. Member States have a deadline of September this year to submit their proposals for sites in need of protection to the Commission. Sites will have to be selected after careful consideration with stakeholders and with particular emphasis on socio-economic impacts."
The UK government is currently preparing a Marine Bill and Friends of the Earth and other green groups have demanded that almost one third of UK waters out to 200 miles should become highly protected 'no-take' marine reserves where fishing would be banned. They claim that without such protection the UK fishing industry is doomed to extinction. But, Mr Stevenson contends, if one third of UK waters are closed in this way, the UK fishing industry would be doomed to extinction overnight. He added that a balance must be sought between such conflicting demands.
"If we are to create Marine Protected Areas then I believe we must also create FPZs....fishing priority zones and possibly even fishing parks for recreational anglers. In consultation with scientists, RACs and all the stakeholders, we should be able to identify areas where sustainable fishing can continue in an environmentally responsible manner. These zones should be clearly identified and given legislative protection against any kind of conflicting development. Only in this way will we be able to balance economic, social and environmental priorities. All stakeholders in the seafood industry are working towards recovering marine biodiversity and productivity. We must support initiatives that reflect this."
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