SNP accused of betrayal after a “sham consultation” 22/8/11
Barra SNP councillor Donald Manford has hit out at the Scottish Government’s fishing ban on seas off Barra. Mr Manford is accusing Environment minister Stewart Stevenson of betrayal and acting on a “sham” process.
The controversial restrictions will be imposed under a new Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which designates an expanse of seabed off East Mingulay as an official European protected area.
Scallop trawling will be outlawed and creels banned over reefs which hosts the coldwater coral lophelia.
The Scottish Government is also proposing similar restrictions in the Sound of Barra to safeguard sandbanks, reefs, and common seals. It says using creels should not be affected but there would be restrictions on clam fishing.
Locals say it will affect jobs and impact upon Barra’s fishing and shellfish processing industry.
Mr Manford said: “The shocking announcement from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change is a bitter disappointment to the campaign group and the community which has to come to terms with the detrimental impact these designations inevitably have.”
He added: “Following complaints to the minister regarding SNH and Marine Scotland failing to abide by due process, withholding information and failing to provide answers to questions, the minister indicated that he would meet with the campaign group to address our concerns. It is with a deep sense of betrayal that this information is received.
“We are now to endure a further shameless sham of consultation on the determination to designate the Sound of Barra.
“This is an area which contains a large fishery, a major fishery harbour and processing plant, two ferry ports, the electricity link to Barra and Vatersay and the island’s airport, with the potential to ruthlessly cripple the island’s economy and community.”
Mr Manford said: “During a time when services are being cut through lack of resources, it is an enduring scandal that ever increasing resources are being directed to designations and organisations which inflict demands and requirements that destroys enterprise and jobs.
“What is so distressing is the remorseless attacks which makes the very environment and wildlife which is so precious to us, the symbol of tyranny.”