The Scottish government has abandoned its controversial plans for highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) following a fierce backlash that united coastal communities, grassroots campaigners, and parts of the fishing industry. Net zero secretary Màiri McAllan announced on Thursday the end of proposals to impose strict limits on human activity such as fishing, aquaculture, and tourism in at least 10% of Scotland's waters by 2026.
McAllan promised further community and industry engagement, stating that a new pathway and timetable for enhanced marine protection would be published after the summer recess. The HPMAs, a key part of the Bute House agreement that brought the Scottish Greens into government with the SNP in 2021, had faced cross-sector criticism as poorly evidenced and dismissive of local experience.
Advocates argued that 'no-take zones' are a moderate step widely used across Europe and essential for the recovery of depleted coastal fish stocks and seabeds. However, grassroots campaigners, usually at odds with each other, united against the plans, arguing they would devastate island cultures. The issue also exposed tensions within the SNP, leading to the first backbench rebellion since Humza Yousaf became first minister.
Scottish Greens coastal communities spokesperson Ariane Burgess accused opposition parties of trying to 'weaponise the nature emergency' and welcomed the commitment to community-led input. Former SNP leadership contender Kate Forbes, who rebelled against the government on the issue, said the announcement would bring 'immense relief' to those who understood the risk to coastal communities.
Phil Taylor, director of conservation charity Open Seas, said the government was learning that deep community engagement is fundamental to effective environmental action. He urged ministers to prioritise action on destructive fishing methods like scallop dredging and bottom-trawling to secure real sustainability for Scotland's seas.
