Have your say on Highly Protected Marine Areas

THIS CONSULTATION HAS NOW CLOSED. HWDT HAS RESPONDED TO THE CONSULTATION. YOU CAN READ OUR FULL RESPONSE HERE.

UPDATE: THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE Consultation HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO THE 17TH aPRIL 2023.

The Scottish Government are currently running a public consultation to seek your views on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). The consultation aims to capture views from all stakeholders to help shape what HPMAs will look like, how they should be implemented, and how they will affect your lives.

HPMAs will provide high levels of protection to the marine environment, with restrictions placed on human activities, to allow for ecosystem recovery and regeneration, and improve the resilience of our seas in the face of a global biodiversity crisis and climate emergency. The Scottish Government have a commitment to designate 10% of Scotland’s seas as HPMAs by 2026.

HWDT will be responding to the consultation, and we hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to respond to voice their views, so that the best possible outcome can be reached for whales, dolphins, porpoises and people.

The full consultation papers can be accessed here and responses can be made until 17th April 2023 online here. A series of free, online information sessions have also been scheduled to help you submit a response to the consultation, find out more here.