Wishart responds to Government dropping HPMAs

Responding to the Scottish Government’s decision to drop their controversial plan to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), Scottish Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesperson, Beatrice Wishart MSP, who also brought the first debate on HPMAs to the Scottish Parliament, said:

“This is testament to the power and voice of rural and remote communities who were united in their opposition. They were incensed by the way the SNP and Greens were determined to impose rigid and damaging policies and failed to listen from the outset.

“It was clear from the start that this was pursued to appease the Bute House agreement and little do with the sustainability of either the seas or the communities who live and work in them.

“There will be a sigh of relief that the government has finally accepted that it got this badly wrong.

“Communities will need assurances that future policy doesn’t make the same mistakes, is led by scientific evidence, meaningful engagement and a proper understanding of all the factors that go into making our communities and fisheries sustainable.”