RSPB Scotland has hailed at the moment’s launch of a session by Scottish Authorities to convey sandeel fishing in Scottish waters to an finish as a momentous day for our struggling seabird populations, and marine setting. The conservation charity is launching an e-action the place folks can add their voice in assist of this within the coming days.
Scottish Authorities is looking for to totally prohibit industrial sandeel fishing in Scottish waters according to their longstanding place to not assist it. Sandeels are an vital a part of wholesome marine life and this exercise has been harming wildlife for many years, with RSPB Scotland and a few fishing communities calling for its finish. These small fish are an important meals supply for a lot of of our internationally vital seabirds particularly through the breeding season when they’re foraging for meals for his or her chicks, and their removing exacerbates the opposite human created pressures our seabirds face.
The session was launched at the moment and is now open for remark for 12 weeks. RSPB Scotland is urging folks to point out assist for the proposal and can be launching an e-action within the coming days the place folks could make clear they wish to see this measure taken ahead.
A lot of Scotland’s seabird populations have seen big declines of their numbers on account of human created pressures similar to local weather change, modifications to meals availability, unintentional bycatch in fishing gear, the introduction of invasive species and offshore renewable enlargement. Species which can be extremely depending on sandeels for meals are faring the worst and have suffered frequent and widespread breeding failures; Kittiwakes and Puffins at the moment are threatened with world extinction. The affect of the continuing Avian Flu (HPAI) outbreak has made the necessity to cease sandeel fishing much more pressing.
Helen McLachlan, Head of Marine Coverage at RSPB Scotland stated: “Having campaigned to finish industrial sandeel fishing for many years, RSPB Scotland is delighted to see the Scottish Authorities convey ahead this very important session, proposing to shut Scottish waters to damaging industrial sandeel fishing as soon as and for all. This can be a very important motion for our marine wildlife and the well being of our wonderful seas.
“This massively welcome proposal comes at a important time. Pressures are growing in our seas because the latest marine heatwave and newest affect of avian flu present. Within the face of those mounting threats, our globally vital seabirds face an unsure future. Taking significant motion now could be extra pressing than ever. Ending sandeel fishing is the one biggest factor we are able to do proper now to throw a lifeline to our most threatened species.
“We commend the Cupboard Secretary for recognising that sandeels have an important function to play in aiding the well being and resilience of our seabirds and different marine wildlife, and in addition the seas themselves, making good on the Scottish Authorities’s longstanding dedication to guard them. This will even profit those that depend upon our seas for his or her livelihoods and enhance the general well being of our seas for all.
“We’re calling on folks throughout Scotland to affix us in supporting this recreation altering proposal by collaborating our e-action which is able to open quickly.”
The proposal would have a minimal affect on Scottish fishing vessels. The overwhelming majority of the hundreds of tonnes of sandeels faraway from Scottish waters annually is finished by industrial trawlers, largely from Denmark to show them fishmeal and fish oil to be used in industrial livestock and aquaculture feed. In addition to serving to seabirds, a ban would profit our marine mammals in addition to bigger fish like Salmon, and commercially focused shares similar to Haddock and Cod. With this yr’s sandeel fishing season already at an finish RSPB Scotland hopes the ban can be in place in time to stop it occurring once more in 2024.
As Scotland is house to nearly all of the UK’s seabirds, many will profit from these proposals. Defra consulted earlier this yr on introducing a prohibition on sandeel fishing within the English waters of the North Sea. The proposals from each UK and Scottish Governments will convey industrial sandeel fishing to an finish across the UK, serving to to construct resilience in our seas at a important time.
