Scotland's Protection Fit For Porpoise?

Environmental campaigners said that Scotland is falling behind the rest of the UK on efforts to protect the harbour porpoise.

17:10 22 January 2016

Environmental campaigners have accused the Scottish government of delaying efforts to protect the harbour species.

 

The UK government has scheduled a public consultation with the goal to create five new marine protected areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Catherine Weller, of environmental law group ClientEarth, said: "These new protected areas are a step in the right direction for the harbour porpoise.

"We need to ensure the areas designated are those that will offer the highest benefit to the harbour porpoise and that when designated, these sites are managed effectively.

 

"It's disappointing the Scottish government has stalled its consultation regarding at least three further areas, reducing the potential for comprehensive protection for the harbour porpoise in UK waters."

 

However, the Scottish government responded saying that they are fully committed to do their share in protecting the species. A spokeswoman said: "The Scottish government remains fully committed to having harbour porpoise special areas of conservation in Scottish waters, where they are fully justified and supported by the evidence.

 

"However, the four proposals received for Scottish waters did not fully meet the scientific requirements, which is why Marine Scotland has begun a new selection process which will progress as quickly and methodically as possible."