HELENSBURGH'S MP has urged his constituents to voice their opposition to plans to introduce 'Highly Protected Marine Areas' (HPMAs) across Scotland.

The SNP's Brendan O'Hara says people living in Argyll and Bute should leave the Scottish Government “in absolutely no doubt as to the strength of feeling that exists across Argyll & Bute on the issue of HPMAs".

Mr O'Hara's SNP colleague, Scotland's environment minister Mairi McAllan, launched a consultation last December on the government's plans to designate at least 10 per cent of the seas around Scotland as HPMAs.

The proposals to restrict fishing and other human activities in some coastal areas are designed to protect wildlife and the environment.

But fishing industry representatives, along with people in many communities in the Highlands and Islands, have raised concerns - as have several of the SNP's own MSPs.

In a letter targeted at those living on the islands and in fishing communities, Mr O'Hara seized upon comments made by First Minister Humza Yousaf in which he and Mairi Gougeon, the cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands, suggested that where a community “vehemently opposed” them, then HPMAs would not be imposed on those communities.

Mr. O’Hara, an outspoken critic of his party's plan to introduce HPMAs on the west coast, has urged his constituents to make their opinions known to the Scottish government by contacting his office directly to have their views collated and shared with Holyrood ministers. 

Speaking as the first of his 11,000 letters were due to arrive, Mr O’Hara said: “I am pleased and encouraged that both the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary have indicated a willingness to listen to and be guided by the people who will be most affected by these HPMAs, should they go ahead.

“We have been given an opportunity to make sure that our voice is heard.

"It is essential that the people of Argyll and Bute speak out now and leave the government in absolutely no doubt as to the dire economic and social consequences that HPMAs would bring to our already economically fragile communities.”