Mull
Aquaculture & Fisheries Meeting
Minutes of MAFA meeting 17th
March 06 (provisional-not yet approved)
Present—P.
Gallacher, D. Reid, D. Wilson, G. Kidd, N. Turnbull, R.
Lawson(chair)
Apologies
-A. Adrian. S.
Barlow. J. Hilder(admin MICT)
November minutes
approved R. Lawson , seconded D. Wilson.
There were no
matters arising from these minutes
1 Concern over
web site. All agreed that it was good to have website
in place and thanked A. Parker for his help. However
some concern over updating was expressed with a number
of inclusions and replies to letters still waiting.
Committee members aware of the importance of web site
for all sections of the community, and it has been noted
that the last update was January. Action.
Paul Gallacher to contact Alan Parker
2.Discussions on
whether to respond before SNH recommended areas for
Park. It was agreed by all that we continue with an
updated response with basically no change in our
position. Mention was made of sums of money that may
be available to a Park area, but at this point these are
no more than vague possibilities. However it was
suggested that we would review our position in light of
detailed info.regarding Park cash.
3. Secretary to
draft a press release for R/A and A/M It was decided
after discussion to include an application form for
anyone wishing to become associate members and support
our organisation. OT. was also suggested. Secretary
given points to include in release which differ in
content from previous press releases.
It was agreed
that all present would respond to 1st draft
no later than Sunday 19th March as R/A are
holding a page for us up until that date.
Action N.
Turnbull
4. The committee
agreed to lobby councillor McDougall both over A/B
council approval of Park and also to ascertain his own
vote on the council decision. It was noted that MAFA now
have approx. 200 members and associate members and
growing. It was also noted that both Pan Fish and
Scottish Seafarms as companies had joined MAFA Action
N. Turnbull
5. D. Reid is
struggling to get facts and figures from shellfish
buyers despite promises. It was guessed that the number
of salmon workers on the Island was about 60. Salmon
value ex. farms from one company alone on Mull was
estimated at £7-8 million pounds. The committee
appreciated the importance of getting reliable factual
statistics in any argument and it was decided to ask MICT to a) research the possibility of a graduate or
post grad to work with us to achieve a professional
presentation of members input to the Island economy and
b) to seek funding for this project.
Action N.
Turnbull /J. Hilder
6. AOB. It was
agreed to co-opt Andrew Durie onto the committee.
Douglas Reid intimated that he would be leaving for
Canada in May for at least 6 months and that A. Durie
had expressed a willingness to replace him. The
committee duly co-opted A. Durie
7. P Gallacher
is unable to act as treasurer due to work commitments.
It was decided to ask MICT to act as our treasurer
meantime as they are already working as our
administrators. It was noted that there would be a cost
involved but we appreciated their input to date. Action
N. Turnbull/J Hilder
8. A desire was
expressed by all, to consider the implications
for
all sections of the community with regard to Marine Park
and not to lose sight of any possibilities of gains for
the Island as a whole.
9. A meeting
organised by MNW Fisherman’s Assoc. on Sat. 25th
March with guest speaker Ian Mitchell. MAFA to support
this meeting and attend if possible
Action D. Wilson
10. N Turnbull
asked committee to find a minute secretary who could
also help with some admin. It was suggested to ask for
an interested volunteer. Depending on finances a paid
minute secretary may be an option Action All
Committee
11. Date of next
meeting. To be agreed after SNH recommendation
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