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Anns an Ògmhios 2023 dh'inns an Rùnaire airson Carbon Neodrachd do Phàrlamaid na h-Alba nach biodh an Riaghaltas a' leantainn le molaidhean gus HPMAs a stèidheachadh ann an 10% de dh'uisgeachan na h-Alba ron bhliadhna 2026. Am broinn na h-òraid aice dh'inns Rùnaire a' Chaibineit gu robh co-luadair an Riaghaltais air HPMAs air farsaingeachd de fhreagairtean a thoirt am follais agus draghan mun bhuaidh a bhiodh aig na molaidhean air coimhearsnachdan ionadail a bharrachd air a' chlàr-ama airson a chur an gnìomh. A dh'aindeoin sin, thuirt Màiri NicAilein gu bheil Riaghaltas na h-Alba fhathast airson dìon na h-àrainneachd mhara fhaicinn.

Air ·¡Ã²°ù±è²¹ na seachdain sa, tha Mìcheal MacNèill a' cluinntinn bho iasgairean ann an coimhearsnachdan dùthchail air feadh Alba a tha ag innse mun dragh a tha orra gun tèid poileasaidhean coltach ri HPMAs a-nis a thoirt air adhart tron doras chùl. Tha luchd-glèidhteachais agus luchd-poilitigs cuideachd ag innse dhan phrògraim na tha iadsan airson fhaicinn a thaobh dìon mara, le staing gnàth-shìde is na h-àrainneachd a' leantainn.

In June 2023 the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero updated the Scottish Parliament, informing members that the Scottish Government would no longer be seeking to implement HPMAs across 10% of Scotland's seas by 2026. In her statement the Cabinet Secretary acknowledged that the Government's own consultation on HPMAs had drawn highly polarised responses and significant concerns about impacts on coastal communities as well as delivery time. However, Màiri McAllan stated that the Scottish Government remain "firmly committed to enhancing marine protections".

On this week's ·¡Ã²°ù±è²¹, Micheal MacNeil explores what's next for marine protection in Scotland's seas. He hears from fishermen in coastal communities throughout Scotland who express their concerns that similar policies on marine protection could be introduced through the back door, as well as environmentalists and politicians about what they wish to see next in the face of a continuing nature and climate emergency.