LOCAL NEWS 16 MARCH 2023
Written by MartyM on 16 March 2023
Higher Marine Protected Area plans “hopelessly flawed”
A leading voice in West coast fishing has condemned a new proposal by the Scottish Goverment to designate at least 10 per cent of Scotland’s seas as Highly Protected Marine Areas as hopelessly flawed.
At present the Scottish Goverment is holding a consultation on its plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas by 2026
The commitment, which is through the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Goverment and the Green, aims to provide a high level of protection by placing strict limits on some human activities, such as fishing and aquaculture, while allowing non-damaging recreational activities to take place at carefully managed levels.
However, Neil Robertson, spokesperson for the Ross, Sutherland, Skye, and Lochalsh Fisherman’s Association told Radio Skye the plans were hopelessly flawed and many working in aquaculture were angry and bewildered.
Chair of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said while the process was at an early stage it may have implications for local businesses and communities, especially those who rely on making a living from fishing, aquaculture, and marine tourism activities.
He said that the Highland Council intends to provide a response to this consultation, encourage all other interested parties to do so too.”
The consultation is open until 17th April can be accessed by visiting the Scottish Goverment website – https://tinyurl.com/HMPA-consultation
Uig harbour set for March 23rd reopening
Uig harbour is on course to reopen next week after a nine-week closure for essential redevelopment work to the ferry berth, the Highland Council has announced.
Earlier this month, the local authority along with contract RJ MacLeod and partners CMAL and Transport Scotland agreed to delay the reopening from the original date of 13th March by 10 days after works were delay due to adverse weather conditions.
The Highland Council told Radio Skye that all works are on programme for the linkspan reopening on 23rd March and that they had a high degree of confidence that CalMac Ferry services could resume as planned.
Detailing the status of the project, the council said the linkspan bankseat and dredging were completed will while all other essential work would be completed before the end of the week.
The council added that site operation clear-up works will follow next week prior to the opening of the ferry berth to provide the areas used by the ferry, ferry traffic and passengers safe for use.
Uig Harbour has been closed since 16th January 2023 to allow for works to replace life expired infrastructure.
The next phase of works is planned to take place from 30th October 2023 until 11 December 2023.
SNP leadership race: Kate Forbes’ campaign calls for independent auditor
Skye MSP Kate Forbes’ campaign manager has casted doubt over the integrity of the SNP leadership contest by calling for a independent auditor to to oversee the vote.
Michelle Thomson, who is in charge of Ms Forbes campaign to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as party leader and Scotland’s First Minister has question the role of Mi-voice, a company which the SNP hierarchy say has sole access to live voting and ballot information.
Ms Thomson, who is an SNP MSP for Falkirk East said concerns has been raised in various quarters about the integrity of the ballot process for the current SNP leadership contest.
She said that while some of the concerns are based on hearsay and are from back or are from bad faith actors. others are being openly expressed by individuals within the SNP of long standing.
She contends that Mi Voice is in fact contracted to provide services to client’s specification and says that the SNP are ultimately accountable for overseeing the voting and the legitimacy of the ballot.
Ms Thomson has asked that the SNP appoint a robust, experienced, third-party auditor of both the ballot processes and the eventual tally of the vote.
She said that the third party “must have full oversight of all membership numbers, data and processes,” and that it should done “without delay.”
In response, An SNP spokesperson said: “Nobody outside of Mi-Voice has access to the live voting system or information about the ballot.
Ms Thomson’s intervention followed on from an open letter sent by fellow SNP leadership hopeful Ash Regan to SNP CEO Peter Murrell.
Ms Regan who was also writing on behalf of fellow contender Kate Forbes has ask that the party’s top brass release information on the total number of paid-up members of the party, as well as the number of digital voting paper and physical postal voting that have been issued.
Humza Yousaf team has also stated they have requested full details over the membership figures.
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