The original SPAs around Scotland's coasts and islands were designated to protect internationally important seabird colonies. SNH said that the sea areas were also essential for breeding and feeding for the birds to survive.

Fishermen have however, reacted with suspicion and they have not been reassured by environment minister Richard Lochhead's comment that: "SNH do not foresee any additional restrictions on fishing or access as a result of these proposals."

John Hermse, secretary of the Mallaig and North-west Fishermen's Association, said that a careful reading of what SNH was proposing, left them with some foreboding. He said: "The trouble with these proposals is that they always leave a 'what if' clause. The consultation paper asks if the SPA extension will affect fishing and it answers it by saying that there is no indication that this will be the case and that this will happen only if there are unanticipated problems. It has been our experience that every bit of legislation like this starts off innocently enough, but all of a sudden they find the 'unanticipated problems' and the restrictions are imposed and fishermen are excluded from fishing areas."

The guidance from SNH said that: "The proposal to extend these sites out to sea will address local issues that could have an impact on seabird colonies, such as new developments in coastal waters."

Fishermen see that as another caveat that leaves the door open for imposing restrictions once the SPA extensions have been accepted. John Hermse said: "This is just more of the same and we feel we are being steam-rollered under designations. These cover vast areas of sea. There are nearly 250 SACs and nearly 150 SPAs that affect sea areas. These are all part of the annexation of the Highlands and Islands by people who want access only for themselves. They are a select group who prefer to protect birds rather than indigenous people. They are far more interested in birds and animals than the financial sustainability of these areas and the people living there. Hundreds of species have thrived in these areas for centuries without any protection, and we don't need this nonsensical rubbish."

The consultation will run for 12 weeks to 22nd September and is open to all who have an interest in the marine area around the bird colonies. This will include fishermen, divers, recreational boat users, wildlife tour operators, local authorities, landowners, seafood producers, local communities and the general public.

John Hermse said that local communities were becoming prisoners of conservation bodies. He added: "We need a cull of these organisations. They seem to have access to vast sums of public money to carry out all their research and impose restrictions on economic activity. Yet there isn't enough money to provide roads and transport infrastructure to help people in these peripheral areas thrive. What on earth is wrong with us, when our priorities favour birds over people? There is also a problem with this consultation. It takes place over the summer when people take holidays. It is also web-based and many of the people directly affected might find it difficult to make their views known."

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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