South of Arran now an MPA

Just a week ago, on July 24th, the Scottish Government confirmed that the south of Arran is now a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) worked long and hard for this, and are much to be congratulated. Even better news is that the whole network of 30 MPAs has been accepted as a protected area, where rare species will be able to live and breed without the constant danger of destructive dredging fishery.

Arran’s MPA aims to protect and restore sea grass and maerl beds as well as many other sensitive habitats and species which have functional importance as fish nurseries and breeding grounds. Like much of the Clyde and Scottish inshore waters, Arran’s marine ecosystems are being severely degraded by destructive fishing practices such as scallop dredging and bottom trawling.

COAST Manager Andrew Binnie said, “This is a real testament to the people of Arran and our supporters and partners further afield. It is encouraging to see the Government beginning to show the sort of leadership the Clyde has long needed. Marine Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage deserve praise for designating the Arran MPA as part of the Scottish MPA network. However, there is still much to be done.”

COAST plans to continue campaigning for rigorous management measures for the entire MPA, not just patchwork areas as currently proposed Throughout the process COAST and the Arran community have advocated the complete exclusion of scallop dredgers and bottom trawlers from the MPA in favour of more sustainable fishing methods such as scallop diving and creeling.