The Scottish Seaweed Industry Association and the HPMA.

In recent months, the Scottish Government under the Bute House Agreement has been evolving their plan to establish Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in Scottish oceans. This plan aims to protect and conserve some of the most important and biodiverse areas of the marine environment, which have been identified as critical habitats for species such as whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds.

The plan for HPMAs is part of the UK's commitment to protecting 30% of its oceans by 2030, which was announced at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019. The HPMAs will be areas where all human activities that could cause damage or disturbance to the marine environment will be prohibited. This means that fishing, mining, and other extractive activities will be banned in these areas.

The Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) recognizes the importance of protecting the marine environment and its biodiversity. However, the establishment of HPMAs will have an impact on the sector, as seaweed cultivation falls under the proposed activities that will be banned by HPMAs. The establishment of HPMAs can be an opportunity for the seaweed industry to demonstrate its commitment to the sustainability and responsible management of protected marine resources through regenerative ocean practices and combined stewardship of the marine environment.

Uist Asco, a company that sustainably harvests seaweed, has expressed concern about the potential impact of HPMAs on their own business. “We have 36 harvesters on our books who are mainly part time and supplement their income through seaweed harvesting. We have nine full time employees who are totally dependent on the harvest for a living.”

Their concern is rooted in the fact that their seaweed harvest involves towing the weed to a landing site, which could be affected if access to the intertidal zone is restricted by HPMAs.

“Our 5 year plan is to grow to 32 employees but restrictive HPMAs could jeopardise that with serious economic and social consequences for the Uists.”

They are not the only rural community who have expressed apprehension over the introduction of HPMAs. The Tiree Community Council recently published a press release raising grave concerns in response to the consultation stating, “It is not an exaggeration to say that the designation of the waters used by the Tiree fishing fleet – from Skerryvore to the Cairns of Coll – as a Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) poses an existential threat to the Tiree community.”

The SSIA recognizes that there is a careful balance to be found between protecting the natural environment and the development of a nascent sector that supports rural coastal communities. The seaweed industry has the potential to contribute to a sustainable blue economy while supporting the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, any decisions made regarding the establishment of HPMAs will need to meet science-based criteria and stakeholder engagement, taking into account the needs of everyone.