Fishermen Achieve a Pause: Minister Returns Environmental Protection Plan for Revision 0 7

Considering the opinions expressed by the involved parties, including fishermen and representatives of water sports, regarding the proposals included in the environmental protection plan for protected marine areas and the rules for their protection and use, the public discussion of the plan has been suspended.

As a result, the proposals of the current environmental protection plan will not receive further advancement, and work on the development of the plan will continue.

As reported to the LETA agency by the Limbaži County Council, the public discussion of the environmental protection plan held in Salacgrīva was attended by the leadership of the Limbaži County Council, local residents, coastal fishermen, and other interested parties. Many came to express their concerns about how the proposed restrictions could affect their daily activities and lives.

Fisherman Jānis Krūmiņš from Kuivizi emphasized that the new plan threatens to destroy coastal fishing. "If the marine protection plan is adopted, it will cause significant harm to all fishermen because all the most active fishing spots are located within these reserves, and we will basically no longer be able to fish," he explained, adding that if the restrictions come into force, it will be necessary to transport all boats and large fishing gear significantly farther from familiar locations, which he believes is impractical.

Representatives of the fishing community noted that such a plan poses a threat to the long-standing traditions of the local community. For many, the craft of fishing is passed down from generation to generation, and the new protected areas mean not only a loss of income for many residents but also the disappearance of the culture and way of life of the region.

The society "Mazjūras zvejnieki" called for help in preserving people's access to the sea and Latvia's national wealth - coastal fishing. Until December 18, it offers to send letters to the Nature Conservation Agency (NCA) with objections against including any prohibited zones for coastal fishing in the future marine territory protection plan, as well as restrictions on water recreation for vessels, including motorized and wind-driven boats.

The society explains that in cooperation with the Institute of Hydroecology and the BIOR Institute, the NCA plans to establish a seasonal reserve along most of the coastline from March 15 to August 31, prohibiting any activities, including coastal fishing, sailing, wakeboarding, and any similar activities on the water. The main reason for the ban is said to be the large number of nesting birds during this period. "How do fishermen, sailors, and skiers harm them? There is no clear answer. This has not been studied. But supposedly, birds need to be protected because their numbers are increasing here due to climate change, and they must not be disturbed," the society notes in its appeal.

The society "Mazjūras zvejnieki" invites all interested parties to participate in the next public discussion of the future environmental protection plan, which will take place on December 16 at 1:00 PM in the Kolka Liv House.

As reported, a public discussion of the environmental protection plan for protected marine areas took place at the NCA office in Salacgrīva in early December.

As stated by the project manager of the NCA "Life Reef" Ilze Sabule to the LETA agency, the task of the environmental protection plan is to reconcile the interests of nature conservation and economic activities while preserving natural values and considering opportunities for unobstructed development.