I was fascinated to read the article by Iain Thornber on the calls for better controls on fishing, initiated in 1933 by John Lorne Campbell of Canna under the title of the Sea League (The Oban Times, December 27).
History seems to be repeating itself as a large consortium of groups representing coastal communities from the Clyde up to Wester Ross has recently written to the First Minister requesting her to consider reinstating the ban on trawling within three nautical miles of the coast and to introduce better measures to enforce protection within our recently established Marine Protected Areas.
This is in response to numerous reports of illegal trawling within these areas withlittle apparent enforcement action. It reflects the concern that many who are lucky enough to live along Scotland’s beautiful and formerly bountiful west coast hold to ensure that it remains there for everyone to enjoy.