Local people have gathered food from the seas and shores of Mull for generations. 

M.A.F.A. AGM AND OPEN MEETING

All Welcome

Craignure Hall 8pm ---Thursday 4^th February.

SPEAKERS

---Daniel Edwards (co-ordinator Mull & Small Isles Inshore Fishery Group.)

Presentation---“What are the objectives and what has been achieved to date, in our own area IFG”

---Dr. Nick Lake---(co-ordinator Moray Firth IFG)

Presentation---“The Marine Bill and its implications for fishermen and fish farmers”

The Marine Bill in particular should be of interest to everyone who has an interest in the Scottish seas and therefore we would welcome members of the public and other organisations. There will be a question and answer time at the end of each presentation.

Please support these interesting speakers.

AGM to follow the speakers

Approval of last years minutes, click here for the content

MAFA AGM and OPEN MEETING UPDATE

This year we welcome the Mull and Small Isles Inshore Fisheries Group(IFG) coordinator, Dan Edwards and Dr. Nick Lake the Moray Firth coordinator to our AGM on Thursday 4^th February at Craignure Hall –8pm. Dan can give us an update on what has happened in the first year of the Scottish Government backed IFG and it is a good chance to meet him and ask any questions you may have about the IFG.

Nick Lake has been around the fish/shellfish scene for a long time. Amongst other jobs he has worked for the Shellfish Association of Great Britain. He has also been involved in many UK reports and consultations for fishing and aquaculture. His presentation on the Marine Bill and implications for all who depend upon the Scottish sea, is not to be missed.

Having heard this presentation at the last IFG meeting I can tell you that it spells out clearly what faces the different sectors, in terms of legislation and our own industry involvement in the new regional marine boards. It is surely better that we have some knowledge of what we face, as the Marine Bill passes through parliament and becomes law.

During 2009 I have attended and represented MAFA at IFG meetings in Inverness and Fort William. I have attended a Lobster/Crab strategy meeting in Edinburgh and MAFA continue to be involved in any decision making process that this transnational group will propose. I have attended all the Sound of Mull project (SSMEI) meetings ensuring that fishermen/fish farmers are always taken into account in any planning process. The consultation document should now be completed and hopefully some of the actions from this project should actually benefit our sector. While this project only involves the Sound of Mull it could well become a blueprint for spatial marine planning for other areas and undoubtedly will be used for marine planning by the Local Councils / Marine Scotland.

I continue to believe more than ever, that it is important for our local industries to be represented at all levels. Conservation organisations in particular, are extremely effective and influential. Most of them have paid representatives to attend meetings and without an industry organisation to counter some of their proposals we are seriously disadvantaged.

I hope you can attend the AGM and continue to support MAFA.

The meeting is open to everyone with an interest in the seas that surround our shores. Please support this event.

Nick Turnbull ---sec. MAFA

Mull Aquaculture and Fisheries Association (MAFA)

Marine national park put on hold as SNP plans to 'sort out' sea laws
 

Stop Press! December Conference minutes as taken by MICT

Results of the Mafa ballot 07

A new association representing the views of all Mull aquaculture interests and fishing was formed and constituted at a recent well attended meeting.  A number of important issues were highlighted including the possibility of this area being in a Coastal Marine National Park and the implications for the members of this association and Mull residents in general.

 SNH were represented at the meeting and able to answer questions from the floor.  A short report of a recent SNH seminar on Marine Parks was given by a committee member. 

Also highlighted was the emergence of Inshore Fisheries Groups which are to be set up round the coast of Scotland and also “The Sound of Mull Initiative” and a Regulating order all of which could have an impact on the harvesting industries.

Proposed letters to SNH and Ross Finnie were read out and with some small adjustments were approved from the floor.  A recommendation that George Lyon MSP should be copied all letters was agreed.  It was stressed that there was a tight timescale for submissions to SNH as recommendations for the area of the new Coastal Marine Park will be made to Ross Finnie by March 2006.  Individual views can be made through the SNH website or letters directly to SNH.

It is very much hoped that this new association will be inclusive and have the backing of as many full time residents of Mull and Iona as possible

Committee---  R. Lawson,  N. Turnbull, D. Wilson, P. Gallagher, S. Barlow, A. Mackie, G. Kidd,  D. Reid.  The committee was formed covering different geographical parts of the Island and different occupations. Thanks go to MICT and James Hilder for facilitating and chairing the inaugural meeting.  It is intended to be as open as possible and to set up a web site where detailed information on our constitution, minutes of meetings and copies of letters to SNH etc.will be available.