McGrigor speech to Scottish Parliament on World Oceans Day

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): I congratulate Stuart McMillan on securing the debate. I am glad that we are debating the importance of our oceans.

At the weekend I was in the famous Loch Fyne oyster bar. The Gaelic motto of Loch Fyne Oysters is "Nach urramach an cuan", which means, "How worthy of honour is the sea". Surely that philosophy should guide policy makers all over the world, where the oceans are concerned. The sea is indeed a wonderful resource, but it is a fragile one that we should honour and respect if we are to ensure its viability for all future generations.

I congratulate the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on reaching its 50th anniversary this year and I thank everyone who has contributed to the commission's work over the years. We can all support the IOC's aim, which is to promote international co-operation and to co-ordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building, so that we can learn more about the nature and resources of the oceans and coastal areas and apply that knowledge for the purposes of improved management, sustainable development and protection of the marine environment.

At Scotland level, it is a positive thing that we have the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, which has ambitious aims for the protection and—this is crucial—restoration of the marine environment. The 2010 act has broad sectoral support.

There are many worrying matters, such as the decline—almost the disappearance—of many fish species in our sea lochs on the west coast. Especially worrying is the decline in runs of migratory wild salmon and sea trout. Such declines are symptoms of something that is wrong with our marine environment or of something that has changed, so it is vital that there be research and development to ascertain the causes of decline and to identify what can be done to resurrect the missing runs of fish. I call on the Government to take action in that regard. I hope that the much-vaunted fresh start for aquaculture will come up with solutions in that respect; if it does not do so, it will be seen to have failed.

Many of my constituents who make their living from the sea think that Scotland's vast marine space can satisfy many and varied needs, provided that the Government takes steps to bring the various parties and interests together to produce solutions that ensure that our marine environment is not a battleground but something that can be sustainably utilised by agreement. The 2010 act seeks consent and co-operation; we hope that it will be implemented in that spirit.

In that regard, the Clyde Fishermen's Association raised a specific point with me, on which the minister might comment. The association is deeply concerned that there is a lack of clarity about the governance arrangements that take precedence in our inshore coastal waters up to 3 miles. Is the marine strategy framework directive or the European Union water framework directive in charge? Surely they cannot both be in charge of the same area. Marine Scotland has so far been unable to provide the required clarity on the question, which people who are in the know find alarming. I would be grateful if the minister could clarify the matter in the debate or give me an answer soon on what is becoming a burning issue. I foresee storms on the horizon, if the matter is not sorted out.

Whenever I debate aquaculture in the Parliament, I talk about the need for us all to seek sustainable coexistence between the wild fish and farmed fish sectors. That is vital to the health of our oceans, especially our coastal waters: it would be disastrous if the wild salmon and sea trout angling tourism for which Scotland has become famous over hundreds of years were to be plagued by sea lice or diseases. It is also vital that the shellfish farms—especially the mussel farms, which have progressed so well—have clean enough water to ensure the viability of their valuable products.

I am pleased that the United Nations has designated a day for our oceans because it raises awareness at an international governmental level. I wish it success and hope that we will hold further such debates in our Parliament. This morning, I listened on Radio 4 to a man who has swum in the sea at the north pole and in a lake on Mount Everest at more than 17,000ft. When he was asked why he did not wear a wet or dry suit, he said that using such devices would eliminate the impact of the contribution that he is making to recognition of the environment's importance. I congratulate him on his bravery and hope that people continue to make waves.