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THE Sound of Barra marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) consultation period has now ended, but local opposition to the proposal remains considerable.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is currently compiling a report for Scotland’s Minister for the Environment, who will then decide whether the designation is submitted to Brussels for adoption.
The potential conservation area has been a bone of contention to numerous residents of the Outer Hebridean Isle. Unsurprisingly, some of the most vociferous criticisms have come from the island’s strong fishing community.
According to Angus Macleod, Chairman the pressure group SHAMED, which is opposed to the designation: “Around forty formal objections have been submitted that I am aware of, including all but one of the Western Isles councillors. Clearly this shows recognition by CNES that designations of this kind have a negative impact on the communities of the Hebrides. A strong legal and scientific objection has also been submitted. This was funded by CNES and the Mallaig and Western Isles Fisherman's Associations.
“Local support has been at the heart of SHAMED’s campaign and…members of the SHAMED group have displayed great dedication, and have collectively contributed months of work and detailed research. They have been a real inspiration, and I would very much like to thank you all for your contributions. However, we are not yet at the end of the road, and indeed what happens over the next week will play a crucial role in whether we are able to stop to designation going forward.”
MSP Jamie McGrigor has secured a debate at Holyrood to discuss the issues. His motion is supported by five other Conservative MSP’s, along with Liberal and Independent MSPs. The debate is to take place on February 8 at 5pm.
“The plan,” MacLeod continues, “is to display a large banner, showing hand-prints of many of the island’s children in opposition to the Barra SAC’s, outside the Scottish Parliament at 4pm on the 8th. After that we will go into the Parliament to listen to the debate from the visitors’ gallery. It would be beneficial if as many supporters of the campaign as possible could be present, so please ask your friends, families and acquaintances if they could spare some time to join us to highlight SNH’s mishandling of the process and the Government’s failure to address the concerns of the damage unnecessary designations can do to communities around the coasts of Scotland.
“It would be helpful to know in advance how many will be present, so if you are thinking of being there, please call and leave a message on 07703526864.”
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