Correspondence

1. Letter to SNH

2. Letter Ross Finnie  MSP

3. Reply from Ross Finnie MSP 3rd Feb 2006  This letter and the letters below are in PDF format and require to be opened by Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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4. Reply from George Lyon MSP  24th Feb 2006

5. Letter from George Lyon to Ross Finnie  24th Feb 2006

6. Continuation of the letter above

7. Extracts from Scottish Exec.

8. COASTAL AND MARINE PARK CONSULTATION 31st Oct 06

9. Letter from George Lyon MSP 30th Jan 07

Mull Aquaculture and Fisheries Association

Penmore,

Dervaig,

Isle of Mull

Argyll  PA75 6QS

Scottish Natural Heritage      Tel.  01688 400268        

Battleby2,           nick.iomo@btinternet .com

Redgarton,

Perth,  PH1 3EW    23/12/05

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are a new association representing the commercial harvesting sector of the marine environment on the Islands of Mull and Iona.  As such we believe we are in the best position to influence any decisions that may happen in the waters that surround us.  We believe that Argyll and the Islands are one of the likely possibilities for a Marine National Park and would therefore like to express our opinions. We would also like to point out that we are not against sensible conservation measures but feel, as the most experienced group with the most to gain and lose, we should be the ones with overriding control of our industries.

We believe it is not in the interests of Mull aquaculture or fisheries to be in an CMNP for the following reasons:

We fail to see any “value added” benefits for our industries and no real example has been given to show otherwise;

We are concerned with Park statutory powers to control our industries and the possible makeup of any management board;

We are concerned that the aims of the CMNP will always back the conservation argument, particularly when there is a conflict;.

We are concerned that it will add another level of bureaucracy making planning both on the sea and land even harder to achieve;

We believe that SNH has been given an impossible task in too short a timescale and that not enough thought has been given to the consequences;

We believe that the conception of an CMNP is urban conceived and driven and that those coastal communities who it may effect have not been properly consulted and that to pursue an CMNP may cause unnecessary conflict within these communities;

We are concerned that the original 25 stakeholders may not be a balanced group and we know of at least one stakeholder who has expressed this view.

Lastly we believe that our particular area is not suitable candidate for a CMNP and does not require the protection that is a necessary requisite for a park designation.

SUGGESTION

We would seriously suggest that more time be given to the whole concept of CMNPs and the potentially serious consequences on vulnerable coastal communities.  We would also suggest that a better consultation process within these communities might lead to an understanding regarding the threat that our industries perceive at present in a Park scenario.

Yours Faithfully

Nick Turnbull---  Secretary for M.A.F.A.        cc.   George Lyon MSP

Mull Aquaculture and Fisheries Association,

Penmore,

Dervaig,

Isle of Mull,

Argyll PA75 6QS

Tel 01688 400268

e-mail- nick.iomo@btinternet. com

 23^rd December 2005

Ross Finnie MSP

The Scottish Parliament,

Edinburgh  EH99 1SP

Dear Mr. Finnie,

We are a new association representing the interests of the Isle of Mull and Iona commercial fisheries and aquaculture production.

We have organised ourselves due to the many marine issues which are likely to affect our members in the near future including the possible inclusion of our area in a Marine National Park.

We would be obliged if you could take note of our views and if possible give us some definite reassurances regarding the local decision-making process that the Scottish Parliament appear to be keen to promote.

As we are a new association, we have not been included in the original 25 stakeholders. However we now realise that Argyll and the Islands are one of the likely candidates for a    C.M.N.P. and we would very much appreciate being included in any further stakeholder meetings or decisions which will affect us.

We represent industries which work all year round on the sea and as such believe that we have the most knowledge, experience and concerns for the future of the local marine environment.  We are key employers with an economic effect that reaches nearly every business and individual on our Island.  As such any alteration to our working environment could have a major impact on all aspects of the Island economy.

We would therefore like the reassurance from yourself that we will have total control over any decisions on the marine environment that affect our industries, bearing in mind there are already a number of statutory controls in place.

Further to this we would like reassurance that should our area be in a C.M.N.P. we are proportionately and fairly represented on any management board.  However we do believe that our particular area is not a suitable candidate for a C.M.N.P.and does not require the protection that is a necessary requisite for a park designation

Finally we would respectfully suggest that the whole process of selecting areas for C.M.N.P.s has happened too quickly without proper consultation with the vulnerable coastal communities who may have to suffer the consequences of an experimental Park.  In view of the above we would appreciate a meeting with you before any decisions are made.

 Yours Sincerely

Nick Turnbull—Secretary M.A.F.A.     cc. George Lyon MSP