Promises on marine protection being “erased” by Scottish government: A coalition of over 130 conservation and environmental organisations have accused of taking backwards steps on legislation which was designed to protect the nation’s marine environment. The Our Seas coalition claimed that programmes to protect Scottish waters are being “erased or delayed” after Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf unveiled the Programme for Government this month which rowed back on a number of marine initiatives. Plans to restrict or ban damaging seabed trawling and dredging inside Scottish Marine Protected Areas were either dropped or pushed back from 2024 to 2025, and the commitment to make 10 per cent of Scotland’s waters Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) by 2026 was also dropped. While the SNP had made much of the HMPA scheme, criticism from some parts of the commercial fishing industry, coastal communities and some SNP MPs and MSPs has led to the party abandoning the plans. The news comes despite a Survation poll commissioned by Our Seas showing that 69 per cent of respondents in Scotland were concerned about the impact commercial fishing was having on Scotland’s seas, and a majority of those polled supported action to ban or restrict the most damaging forms of commercial fishing. Read more on this story by clicking here. In a connected story, the SNP was again criticised for “smoke and mirrors” proposals to protect farmed salmon. A number of conservation groups including WildFish have sent an open letter to the Scottish government in which they heavily criticise legislation which will supposedly protect the welfare of wild salmon. In the letter they say that the new regulations will not initially cover the more than 200 salmon farms which already exist in Scotland, will not cover Orkney and Shetland where one-third of Scotland’s fish farms are located and will not allow licences to be rescinded or the amount of fish farms produce to be reduced if farms fail to follow regulations. Rachel Mulrenan, the Scotland Director of WildFish told the Herland that the legislation was “laughable” and said: “This is not regulation to protect wild fish, this is regulation to give the illusion of protecting wild fish, while business and expansion continues as usual for the polluting salmon farming industry.” Read more on this story by clicking here.
Bluefin tuna caught in Scottish waters sold for the first time: Recent years have seen tuna make a comeback to UK waters, and since leaving the EU Britain has been able to catch the species on a commercial basis. However, the UK bluefin tuna fishery is very small, highly regulated and uses only sustainable methods. The first Scottish-caught bluefin tuna has now been sold, with fisherman Angus Campbell catching a 360lb tuna in waters off the Isle of Harris. Campbell is Scotland’s only licenced tuna fisherman and has a quota to catch 3.5 tonnes of the species during the trial period of the fishery. The tuna was sold by Islander Shellfish in Stornoway and marked the first time an Atlantic bluefin tuna which had been caught in Scottish waters had been sold in the nation. Read more by clicking here.
Amsterdam angling ban will not go ahead: A proposed ban on street fishing in Amsterdam will now not go ahead. The Dutch capital has long been famed for its street fishing with canals and waterways all across the city holding species such as perch, zander and pike. However, the Party for the Animals, a political party based around animal rights which has several seats in the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives, put forward a motion to ban street angling claiming this would be “good for the fish.” However, the Amsterdam Angling Association pointed out that it was angling organisations which successfully campaigned for improved water quality in the city’s canals and pointed out the pollution caused by sewer overflows. They also highlighted the additional income which anglers brought to the city. Following this Amsterdam City Council voted against implementing a ban on angling in Amsterdam. Click here to read more on this story.
England Ladies angling team in trans row: Members of the England Ladies angling team have refused to take part in the world championships in November after a trans woman was allowed to be part of the team. The trans angler was able to take part in the previous world championships leading to complaints from other members of the team. One member, who asked to be known only as Heather, said that the rest of the team felt “humiliated” when they finished in the medal positions and went on to say: “It wasn’t a nice situation, mainly because all the other countries wouldn’t speak to us … They were all against us. When we went up to collect our medal, nobody clapped and people walked out … It’s unfair on everyone else. And if you win in a situation like that, you can’t enjoy the victory, because it feels like you’ve cheated.” The six-strong team will now not take part in the tournament in Italy. This is the second time that trans issues have caused conflict within England Ladies angling after half of the team quit the Home Championships in June after the same trans angler was permitted to be part of the ladies team. Read more on this story here.
Oceana report outlines the level of overfishing in British waters: A new report from Oceana UK – the UK arm world’s largest ocean conservation charity – has revealed the dire state of many of Britain’s fish stocks. Fewer than half of the 104 stocks which were analysed were of a healthy size, and a third were classed as being overfished. Three of the five lowest stocks (west of Scotland cod, Celtic Sea cod and Irish Sea whiting) were so low that Ices (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) recommended a total ban on commercial fishing for the species. Of the top ten species landed by UK fishermen, five were classed as being overfished or critically low. The report stressed that when catch limits were set in line with scientific advice fish stocks performed well, as the top five healthiest stocks were all caught within scientific limits. But the worst performing and most overfished stocks all had catch limits set higher than scientists advised. The recommendations put forward by the report included following scientific advice on catch limits, developing a clear strategy to end overfishing and phasing out non-selective, carbon-intensive and destructive fishing methods. Read the full report here.
Police Scotland issue warning after protected basking sharks disturbed: Basking sharks have been spotted off the coast of Moray and Aberdeenshire this month. The filter-feeding sharks can be up to eight metres (26ft) in length and can often be found close to the shore. This has led Police Scotland to remind paddle boarders, kayakers and those in boats that it is an offence to “deliberately or recklessly disturb” basking sharks as they are a protected species. Wildlife crime and environmental officer Hannah Corbett was quoted on the STV website saying: “I would encourage people to remember that they [basking sharks] are a protected species and it is an offence to deliberately or recklessly disturb them … If you are out on the water and lucky enough to see a basking shark near you or your vessel, avoid making changes in speed or direction. Please keep your distance and do not chase or attempt to feed or touch them.” Read the full article by clicking here.
Small fish attack tourists off coast of Benidorm: The Daily Mail reported that small fish are attacking around fifteen people each day off the coast of Benidorm on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Saddled sea bream, known locally as obladas, are around 30cm (12 inches) long and are usually classed as harmless. However, scientists say that warming seas have raised the metabolism of the fish, causing them to seek out other sources of food and leading to them attacking people. While most attacks are minor, some have drawn blood and left teeth marks on people’s arms, legs and backs and they may be attracted to existing cuts or wounds people have. A spokesperson for Spain’s Department of Marine Science told the Daily Mail: “There may be a high population density and they do not run away from people, hence they peck at wounds.” Read more on this story by clicking here.