The new MPA within the inner Sound of Skye will protect the largest flapper skate egg nursery ever identified in Scotland.

Large egg nursery declared Marine Protected Area.

The Scottish government has designated an urgent Marine Protected Area (MPA) within the Inner Sound of Skye in order to further protect the critically endangered flapper skate.

The new MPA will protect the largest flapper skate egg nursery area ever identified in Scotland. A number of marine activities such as fishing, diving and construction will be prohibited within the site for an initial period of 12 months and will come into force on 17 March 2021.

If, after this period, permanent protection is found to be necessary, the Scottish government will then carry out a full stakeholder engagement process, public consultation and impact assessments.

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Ben Macpherson said: “The flapper skate, which was once abundant in our seas, is now only found in the northern area of the North Sea and off Scotland’s north-west coast.

“The designation of this new Marine Protected Area will allow further information to be gathered to inform permanent proposals and will safeguard an area of vital importance to this critically endangered species. This will support conservation efforts to help it recover back to a healthy status in Scottish waters.”

This is the second urgent MPA to be created using powers within the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, the first being the Loch Carron urgent MPA created to protect flame shell beds in 2017 and then made permanent in 2019.

Scotland’s MPA network covers more than 37 per cent of its sea area. This exceeds the proposed new global target of 30 per cent coverage by 2030.