Hansard

I begin with a reminder of why we are discussing this subject: the world’s ecosystems are rapidly degrading. That is not a remote or abstract problem; it is real, it is happening now and we cannot continue ignoring what is in front of us.

The marine heatwave that was declared in the North Sea last week, which was labelled “extreme” by scientists, clearly shows that the impacts of the global climate emergency are already being felt here, on our shores. It is clearer than ever that we are in the midst of a nature and climate crisis. We must be prepared to take action commensurate with the scale of that challenge, but we must do so via a fair and just transition that empowers our people.

I will be clear about why this Government believes that change is required. The latest assessment under the United Kingdom marine strategy indicated that we have failed to achieve 11 of the 15 indicators of good environmental status in our seas. Evidence presented in “Scotland’s 2020 Marine Assessment: Headlines and Next Steps” shows an accelerating rate of change due to human activity. Nine out of 21 marine regions in Scotland have sea-floor habitats that are predicted to be in “poor condition” across more than half of their area. Seabirds are also in trouble, with populations of surface-feeding birds, such as the kittiwake, in decline.

Failure to safeguard and improve the resilience of Scotland’s marine ecosystems to a changing climate threatens the very basis on which our marine industries and coastal communities are built.

The case for enhanced marine protection is therefore clear and one that all parties here agree on—or at least they did at election time. We know that protecting our marine ecosystems protects and sustains the ecosystem services that livelihoods and communities rely on. I hope that we can all agree on that. That is why we are committed to working with coastal communities, fishers, aquaculture, tourism and all affected sectors to enhance marine protection in Scotland for the benefit of all.

There has, understandably, been considerable debate about highly protected marine areas, and I thank all members, stakeholders and members of the public who have contributed so robustly to the early part of that debate. I record my thanks for the many constructive conversations that I have had with members from all parties in recent weeks, and for those with fishing representatives, local authorities, youth representatives and environmental campaigners, including my colleagues in the Scottish Greens. Highly protected marine areas are part of the Bute house agreement, and I welcome the constructive engagement that I have had with the Green group as we have developed our thinking on this critical issue.

I have listened intently and am in no doubt about the strong views both for and against. However, if there has been one consistent point of consensus it is that doing nothing is not an option. In fact, we know from a recent Government-funded survey that 85 per cent of Scottish respondents consider protecting the marine environment to be important to them.

I emphasise that I recognise the scale of what highly protected marine areas represent. We are at the drawing board on the issue, and I have—from the very beginning of the process—invited Scotland’s communities to the drawing board with us. That is why I was keen that we consulted so broadly and as early in the process as possible, with no predetermined ideas about sites. We are currently analysing the thousands of responses to that consultation and I will, of course, give due consideration to those.

A full response to the consultation and information on the next steps will be published after summer recess. However, I committed to updating Parliament on the matter as soon as I possibly could, so, ahead of a fuller update after summer, I would like to share an initial one today.

A particular concern that has been raised with me—notably by both those who support the establishment of HPMAs and those who do not—is that implementation of the proposal in the proposed timeframe could risk limiting our aspirations for genuine collaboration with communities, which, both to me and to the Government, is absolutely integral to Scotland’s approach to a fair and just transition. Therefore, although, for the reasons that I have stated, we remain firmly committed to the outcome of enhancing marine protection, I can confirm that the proposal as consulted on will not be progressed. That means that we will no longer seek to implement HPMAs across 10 per cent of Scotland’s seas by 2026.

Over the summer, as part of our on-going dialogue with all those with an interest in protecting Scotland’s seas, we will develop a new pathway and a timetable for our work. Those will be in line with our draft biodiversity strategy and its ambition for Scotland to be nature positive by 2030, and they will recognise that the European Union has proposed a target of having enhanced marine protection in at least 10 per cent of its seas by 2030.

Importantly, I will ensure that communities across Scotland are central to the process. We know that there is a plethora of innovative ideas on how we can improve protection, and that is exactly what I want to hear more of, including from people such as inshore fishermen who recognise the issue’s importance to their livelihoods.

It is very important to me that people who will be affected by policies are engaged in their development. The viability of coastal and island communities matters greatly to this Government, as do the matters of cultural importance that have come to the fore of the debate.

As I have said a number of times, our seas must remain a source of economic and social prosperity for our nation. I therefore speak directly to everyone in our coastal and island communities, including those who have expressed concerns to date, when I say that I want them to help to shape the future of Scotland’s seas. As I—and, indeed, the First Minister—have said many times, communities must be meaningfully involved. Today, I am making it clear that that will happen.

In that regard, and on an immediate and on-going basis, the Government remains committed to supporting any group that wishes to pursue community-led marine protection in its local area. We have already seen successful initiatives in Arran and in St Abbs and Eyemouth. I will do everything that I can in this session of Parliament to support those communities that want to follow their shining examples—examples that we know can work to improve the state of the local marine environment.

Although I have confirmed today that the HPMA policy as consulted on will not be taken forward, investing in ocean health requires a range of interventions across all our seas that we must continue to progress as a matter of urgency. Scotland’s existing marine protected area network covers around 37 per cent of our seas, but individual sites must be effectively managed if they are to achieve their objectives, and we must also do more to safeguard our particularly vulnerable species and habitats.

We have an on-going programme of work to implement fisheries management measures in existing MPAs where they are yet to be introduced, and to protect some of the most vulnerable priority marine features outside the MPA network. Those measures were delayed by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we are committed to putting them in place as soon as possible, following due process, and I welcome the fishing industry’s support in moving them forward.

I can confirm that, after the summer recess, we will consult on proposals for fisheries management measures in offshore MPAs beyond 12 nautical miles. The options to be consulted on have been the subject of extensive engagement over many years with all stakeholders.

Inshore MPAs and priority marine features also require fisheries management measures. However, the complexity of the inshore area and the number of sites have meant that progress has been slower than was hoped—therefore, consultation on inshore measures will take place in 2024.

During the summer, my colleague Mairi Gougeon intends to consult on the potential closure of sand eel fisheries in Scottish waters. That is a crucial step in safeguarding an important food source for many species, and it could aid the long-term sustainability and resilience of marine ecosystems.

All that vital work on marine protection must, and will, proceed with pace. It does so as this Government continues to support Scotland’s fishing industry, not least through the £14 million marine fund Scotland, which the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands recently launched the third round of. I take the opportunity to thank all the stakeholders with whom Mairi Gougeon and I have worked across all those matters.

I began the statement by outlining our commitment to addressing the twin crises of climate change and nature loss. Our “Blue Economy Vision for Scotland” recognises that our economy and society “are embedded within nature”, and not external to it. The vision looks to move us beyond traditional narratives of choosing between ocean protection and production, recognising that the latter cannot be achieved without the former.

I will publish more on our next steps after the summer, and we will, of course, keep Parliament up to date, but I hope that what I have stated today demonstrates that I am listening and that I will continue to listen.

There has been a lot of heat in the debate about HPMAs, and I hope that my commitment to develop a new pathway with all those who will join me round the table will allow a great deal less heat, and more light, into discussion of the matter. I am clear that both enhanced marine protection and a whole-community approach is required.

In my foreword to the recent “Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas Consultation Paper”, I said:

“I am determined that those who may be affected by these proposals are involved from the outset ... That is why I want to hear what you think.”

I went on to say:

“I want to take on board your concerns and your ideas.”

While I continue my meetings across Scotland over the summer, and as my officials and I finalise our analysis of the consultation responses, I trust that it is clear that I am listening and that I will continue to listen as we take forward the imperative of marine protection.