The Scottish Government has been deluged with almost 4,000 responses to its plans which could see fishing banned in 20 areas of the sea, potentially costing the industry £65 million.
New figures show more than £77,000 has been spent on the consultation, including £37,000 on “publication costs”, proposing a ban on types of fishing equipment being used in a third of Scottish waters, designated as marine protected areas (MPAs).
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The freedom of information response from the Scottish Government also shows £33,000 for a third party to “analyse” the consultation responses.
In total, there have been 3,945 responses, including 3,745 campaign replies, with a final decision on the plans scheduled for the end of January.
The Scottish Government consultation proposes either zoned or full restrictions on the use of specified types of equipment, demersal mobile and static gear at 16 of the sites, while implementing a full site-wide exclusion of that gear in five areas where “this is the only suitable option to achieve conservation objectives”.
In the consultation document, it is estimated the proposals could cost the sector up to £65m if the equipment was banned in all 21 areas. The worst case scenario would mean an £8m annual average loss in value on landings, as well as the loss of up to 101 jobs.
Buckie-based Scottish Conservative MSP and shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle said: “The high number of responses show there is a huge interest in this and a need to get these plans right.
“These proposals from the Scottish Government will heighten fishermen’s concerns about being squeezed out of large areas of the sea, hampering the economic wellbeing of our fishermen.”
The proposals come a year after the Scottish Government was forced to abandon its controversial plans for highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) which would have banned fishing from around 10% of Scottish waters.
Mr Eagle added: “The sector is rightly sceptical after the SNP-Green coalition’s reckless attempt at imposing HPMAs last year.
“Fishermen want biodiversity and sustainability in our waters as much as anyone, but they must have a voice at the table to ensure evidence and the potential impact of these proposals are at the centre of the decision-making process.
“At a time when 37% of Scottish waters are already protected under the existing MPA network, these proposed measures threaten to undermine an industry already facing numerous challenges.”
