Highly Protected Marine Areas 2023-05-17
2023-05-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Communities such as Edinburgh West benefit from a strong Scottish fishing industry but are concerned about strict restrictions imposed by the controversial proposals for highly protected marine areas, which have been called 'fundamentally flawed' by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.
My community in Edinburgh West benefits from the strong Scottish fishing industry. However, the proposals to designate 10% of our waters as highly protected marine areas with strict restrictions are controversial and have not undergone trialling or pilot schemes. Will the Secretary of State commit to sharing details of the UK Government's pilot scheme with the Scottish Government and continue to support rather than restrict communities?
We will share the results of those pilot schemes. The Prime Minister has called on the Scottish Government to U-turn on this issue, as fishing communities know what is best for preserving stocks and future generations.
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Assessment & feedback
Sharing details of pilot schemes with the Scottish Government was acknowledged but not specifically committed to, and focus shifted towards urging a U-turn from the Scottish Government rather than supporting measures that would help fishing communities.
U-Turn On This Issue
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish fishing industry provides high-quality produce to shops and restaurants but faces strict restrictions from the proposals for highly protected marine areas, which have not undergone trialling or pilot schemes.
Communities such as mine benefit from a strong Scottish fishing industry. However, the controversial proposals would impose strict restrictions without any trial or pilot scheme, calling them 'fundamentally flawed'. Will the Secretary of State commit to sharing details of the UK Government's pilot scheme with the Scottish Government and continue to press for measures that support rather than restrict communities?
We will share the results of those pilot schemes. I reiterate what the Prime Minister said last week to another hon. Member, calling on the Scottish Government to respect fishing communities' knowledge about preserving stocks and future generations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to sharing details with the Scottish Government was not provided; focus shifted towards urging the Scottish Government to pay attention to fishing communities.
U-Turn On This Issue
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The fishing industry and coastal communities in Scotland are concerned about the haste with which highly protected marine areas policies are being implemented, suggesting it could be damaging to these communities.
My right hon. Friend will agree that we support conservation and sustainability in principle. However, does he concur that the speed at which the Scottish Government is implementing their policy for highly protected marine areas shows a case of the Green tail wagging the SNP dog, potentially having damaging consequences for coastal communities?
For those who heard the question, the answer is yes.
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Assessment & feedback
The response was too brief to provide substantive information or commitments and did not address the specific concerns about negative impacts on coastal communities.
Response accuracy