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Breaking News: Scotland's First No-Take-Zone!
Scottish Statutory Instruments:
Sea Fisheries.
Loch
Creran, Special Area of Conservation is subject to the following:
Prohibited
Methods of Fishing, (Loch Creran) Order 2007. This was
laid before the Scottish
Parliament on the 7th March 2007 and came in to force on the 29th March
2007.
Scallop dredging is prohibited. Vessels over 10m, trawling is
prohibited. The loch is subject to zoning for other methods of fishing
including creels. This provides a No-Take-Zone in the zoned fringes of the loch the region
of the Serpuilid Reefs (Serpula
vermicularis). The other qualifying interest in Loch
Creran are the Horse Mussel Beds (Modiolus
modiolus).
Firth of Lorn, Special
Area of Conservation is subject to the following:
Prohibited
Methods of Fishing, (Firth of Lorn) Order 2007. This was
laid before the Scottish Parliament on the 7th March 2007 and came
in to force on the 29th March 2007.
Scallop dredging is prohibited. The qualifying interest in the Firth of
Lorn SAC are the Rocky Reefs, also Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), listed as Category "D".
Background
to the EC Habitats Directive and Natura 2000
This
modified summary has been taken from the Joint Nature Conservation
Committee website:
Natural
habitats in Europe are deteriorating and there is an increase
of seriously threatened wild species. A large proportion of this
deterioration is due to development and agricultural intensification.
Is also affects the marine environment, where fishing and aquaculture
industries are also accountable.
The
main aim of the EC Habitats Directive is to promote the
maintenance
of biodiversity by requiring Member States, which incudes the UK and
Scotland to take measures to maintain or restore natural habitats and
wild species at a favourable conservation status, introducing robust
protection for those habitats and species of European importance.
Member States have designated sites known as Special Areas of
Conservation (SACs), and along with Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
classified under the EC Birds Directive, form a network of protected
areas known as Natura 2000.
The territorial government advisors on nature conservation advise
bodies on the application of the Regulations with respect to the affect
of projects on Natura 2000 sites. In order to meet obligations to avoid
deterioration to Natura 2000 sites, bodies are required to review those
consents, permissions or authorisations which may affect the integrity
of these sites.
The
Habitats Directive introduces for the first time for protected
areas, the precautionary principle; that is that projects
can only be
permitted having ascertained no adverse effect on the integrity of the
site. This is where the Hebridean Partnership enters the arena.
To date very little actual protection has been afforded to SACs within
our proposed area. Two independent complaints, one initiated by the
Hebridean Partnership and the other by the British Sub-Aqua Club, have
been up held by the
EC with the issue of a Letter of Formal Notice. Damage continues within
the designated sites, members of the Hebridean Partnership are actively
pursuing the case.
Hebridean Partnership issue SEERAD Inshore Fisheries, Freedom of
Information Act Request
The
Hebridean Partnership has made several requests to the
Inshore
Fisheries Branch of the Scottish Executive for information regarding
scallop dredging in the Firth of Lorn and Loch Creran SACs. The first
request was on the 15th November 2006. On the 7th February 2007 an
official request under the Freedom of Information Act 2002 and the
Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 was submitted.
European Small Islands Network (ESIN)
Marine Related Deveolpment
The ESIN aims to raise
awareness of difficulties and extra burdens
experienced by the inhabitants of small islands and to promote
inter-island co-operation on sustainable development. There are
currently six EU Member States involved and the first exchange visit
was held in Finland 2005. Many issues identified were found to be
generic across all island communities, these included, infrastructure
and logistical problems. In Scotland, remote rural communities on the
mainland also suffered from similar issues. For further information
please contact Hebridean Partnership or ESIN on
www.scottishislands.org.uk
Hebridean Partnership Sends Report to
Brussels
The Hebridean Partnership has forwarded a report to the European
Commissioner for the Environment, titled; Failure by the Scottish
Executive and Relevant, Competent Authorities to effectively implement
The Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC/1992) within Scotland. It is the
opinion of the Partnership Committee that these relevant authorities
have contravened 12 separate Articles under the Habitats Directive,
including 29 subsections. If you would like a copy of the report please
e-mail: info@hebrideanpartnership.org
Hebridean Partnership Refuse to Sign SAC
Management Agreement
Members of the Partnership have attended the Loch Creran and the Firth
of Lorn Special Areas of Conservation Management Group Forums during
the last 18 months. Concern has been raised concerning the proceedings
of the meetings. Due to these proceedings the HMNPP Committee have
submitted the following statement: "HMNPP
cannot sign any management agreement that clearly opposes a majority
view, including stakeholders and a relevant authority, especially an
agreement which may be detrimental to the favourable conservation
status of the species/habitats that are of special community interest,
and for which the site has been designated".
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