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

AGM on the 2^nd February--in Craignure Hall--- 7.30pm   

Mull Aquaculture and Fisheries Association update for open         
meeting and AGM on the 2^nd February--in Craignure Hall--- 7.30pm   

This has been an extraordinary past year for those whose living depends upon the sea. As I write this, the westerly gales continue to dominate the weather pattern in early January, as they have done throughout the whole of 2011.  December culminated in some of the worst storms seen for years and many of the creel boats will I am sure have lost or damaged gear. Some boats in exposed areas only managed to fish a few days in December impacting on the normally lucrative Xmas landings.  Fish farms too have experienced damage with loss of stock and damage to equipment. The storm in May was even more peculiar as this is normally a settled time of year.  Most creel boats, at least those fishing for lobster work close to the shore at this time of year and this storm caught everyone by surprise with big losses of creels right round the Island.  It would look as though global warming maybe impacting on our weather patterns.

  Weather apart, there has also been much activity in the marine environment this year and as ever Mull has on occasion been at the centre of some of these activities.

 There is ever increasing pressure on the sea, around the whole of Scotland and indeed the UK.  This pressure comes from all the existing users naturally wanting a bigger slice of the marine environment + new ones such as the renewable power industry and of course the conservation sector, for example ---Marine Scotland with its E.U. obligation to create new Marine Protected Areas.(MPA’s).  While some of these are still at the planning stage, it is all the more important to ensure our industries are included in any of the consultations for it is certain there will be changes and that they will affect everyone.

 Often it seems that the most traditional of our industries, fishing is the one that has the most to lose from outside pressures. Fishing like fish farming employs many of our younger folk but unlike fish farming does not have the economic and political advantages of large companies behind them. Individual fishermen can often be more vulnerable or more easily displaced, a good reason I believe for having a strong Association to represent them.   Hence this year has seen MAFA negotiating with a number of aquaculture and algal companies over new proposed “offshore sites”  These new, more exposed sites inevitably seem to conflict with existing fishing grounds.  MAFA being an all Island fishing and aquaculture organisation has had to look closely at all these sites and take a balanced decision.  We do believe, by careful consultation and compromises we can achieve solutions for all the parties, both of whom provide year round employment for Mull.

  In Loch Tuath –the proposed site near Gometra is one such site that after consultations with the local fishermen and a re-siting, we are now hopeful the Scottish Salmon Co. will gain the necessary permissions to proceed.  However if we can find no solution such as the algal and then finfish proposal in L. Scridain, which again is placed over traditional prawn grounds, then MAFA will object based on the displacement of existing fishermen. It is a difficult balance and for the 1^st time has created a conflict of interest within our Association.  I do however, believe that both industries are basically closely aligned and that is in all our interests to work together.

The Mull and Small Isles Inshore Fishery Group(IFG) has completed its plan for the area and MAFA has had its input into this plan.  The Mull fishing community has been consulted on all parts of this plan and when approved by Marine Scotland hopefully parts of the plan will become a reality in the near future. There has been a lot of discussion and disagreements but for the 1^st time it does look as though fishermen can genuinely look forward to changes that most have wanted for many years.  Dan Edwards the IFG co-ordinator, has done a great job pulling this plan together which was never going to be easy, as this large area covers a number of different fishing methods and diversity of views.  Dan has also been instrumental in acting as a facilitator with finfish companies and also an algal farm proposal. Through the IFG, Dan has set up a procedure for pre- applications to be discussed with the executive committee.  Hopefully this will ensure that all parties are aware of proposals before application stage.   Should the Tiree Array (wind turbines) be successful then the latest proposed route for the cabling, is through L. Scridain then overland to Craignure.  This could cause some disruption to fishing and again Dan through the IFG would be looking to negotiate with the power company.

Throughout the year MAFA have been represented at a number of meetings including the new proposed Marine Protected Areas.  Crucially MAFA are consulted on all new marine developments requiring planning permission in our area. We continue to attend meetings and sit on the Executive Committee of the IFG.  During the year I was asked to represent the creel sector on the new Fisheries Management and Conservation Group. This group has been set up by Marine Scotland to replace the many sector based groups from the past and is likely to play an important role in the future.  This is obviously a serious and somewhat daunting role and it will be important for me to be well advised by all sections and areas of creel fishing.

On the home front MAFA organised The Seafish under 16.5m skippers certificate . The course was held at Craignure last January and was very well attended by Mull fishermen from all over the Island.  This was an intensive 1 week course but gives an excellent qualification with a flexibility to convert to a variety of commercial applications. It is likely that at some stage in the future all skippers of 8m. boats upwards will need this certificate.   Our thanks go to Lachie Paterson who instructed us but also kept us well entertained at every opportunity!    If anyone who didn’t get a chance to attend but wishes to do so this coming year, please contact myself.

Once again can I thank all fishing members and aquaculture companies for their support over the year and would welcome you all to our AGM on the 2^nd February--in Craignure Hall--- 7.30pm   This year we really do hope to have a representative from SNH to discuss MPA’s and Dan Edwards of the IFG will give us an update on the management plan.

Nick Turnbull—secretary MAFA