Ministers urged to 'stop delaying' marine protections as thousands sign petition

Scottish ministers are being urged to “stop delaying and start protecting” coastal waters after more than 16,500 people signed a petition targeting damaging fishing methods. The Our Seas coalition, made up of more than 160 groups, wants at least 30% of Scotland’s inshore waters protected from dredging and bottom trawling, citing concerns about harm to marine life on the seabed. The appeal was made ahead of handing the petition to agriculture and marine minister Jim Fairlie on Tuesday, the same day a demonstration is scheduled at Holyrood. Phil Taylor of Open Seas said wildlife and habitats have declined due to failures in managing inshore waters. Fisheries representatives warned that reduced protections since the mid-1980s coincided with declines in inshore fish stocks and fishing fleets.