Opposition to Barra SAC – Update
Feb 19th, 2009 | By ssacn | Category: ConservationWestern Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan has held a meeting in Brussels with representatives of the EC to discuss the potential implications of the proposed Barra marine SAC.
Dr Allan commented: ‘I had a frank meeting today with Michael O’Briain of the European Commission’s directorate general environment, nature and biodiversity unit about the prospect of a marine SAC in the Sound of Barra and Mingulay. The meeting was constructive, but I made very clear the strong feeling of the people in Barra and indeed the real anxieties which islanders have about this possible designation.
‘I remain unconvinced of the case for the SAC and will now be pursing the issue further with Scottish Natural Heritage to establish what scope they have to decide the location of SAC’s in Scotland in the coming year. I will also be pursuing it with Roseanna Cunningham, the new environment minister.
‘The commission were able to offer some assurances about the SAC if it comes to pass – namely that it could be managed locally, and that it could be phrased to explicitly ensure existing crofting and fishing activity can continue, however, I remain concerned about the implications for future economic activity, and will be raising this further both with Edinburgh and Brussels.
Background ::
The proposals have aroused intense opposition, with fears from the fishing industry that restrictions imposed will severely limit their work and lock them out of existing fishing grounds.
The Sound of Barra conservation area (SAC) is being proposed because of the sandbanks and because the area is home to common seals and will cover 10,849 hectares. The 30,527 hectare SAC for reefs near Mingulay has been proposed because of the presence of coldwater coral, the only inshore area in the UK where the coral is known to exist.
One of the campaign group members said that past experience with conservation designations made them fearful of the consequences of designating the SACs and although they have been told that the SACs have to be done under European legislation they have seen no proof that these two proposed sites are the ones that have to be chosen.
David MacLennan, SNH’s Western Isles area manager, said that the EC had asked the UK Government to designate a range of different habitats under the EC Habitats Directive. He said: "The Mingulay reefs are the only known site with coldwater coral in UK inshore waters, so there is nowhere else to consider. More sites were needed to protect seals and sandbanks and we looked at the Sound of Harris and the Sound of Barra. The Sound of Barra best meets the requirements. There are gaps in the designation of sites on the west coast of Scotland, although other areas could be looked at."
The SNH board has approved the proposed designation of the two areas and are currently carrying our further scientific studies to define the boundary of the proposed Mingulay reef SAC. This is expected to be completed around now, and once SNH scientists have approved the report early in February, the proposal will go to the Scottish Government in mid-February.
Once the proposal is approved by ministers, a three-month consultation period will begin in March or April 2009.
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