'A huge relief': Scotland formally ditches plans for controversial protected marine zones

The Scottish government has formally scrapped plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), to the welcome relief of the country's seafood sector.

Scottish salmon is the UK’s No.1 food export, and is exported to over 50 countries, with a value of around £600 million (€689.1 million/$728.6 million). The Scottish farmed salmon sector currently produces around 200,000 metric tons of Atlantic salmon annually.

After consultation responses were published, Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan confirmed the proposals to introduce "no-take" zones in 10 percent of the country's waters by 2026, would "not be progressed."