ARGYLL AND BUTE PUBLIC ASKED FOR VIEWS ON MARINE PLANNING IN THE SOUND OF MULL

A Pilot project which will help shape Scotland’s first Marine Bill has been conducted in the Sound of Mull. A Public consultation together with drop-in sessions about the Sound of Mull Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI) will start in December.

Two and a half years in production, the draft Sound of Mull Marine Spatial Plan tackles issues such as the regulation, management and protection of the marine environment of Sound of Mull, and will provide valuable information informing the design of legislation in the Scottish Marine Bill, which is currently being debated in the Scottish Parliament. It considers a wide variety of activities, from wildlife watching to fish farming, that take place on one of the west coast’s most historic and spectacular waterways.

Councillor Robert Macintyre, spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs, said: "The Sound of Mull is an area of great natural beauty appreciated by many visitors every year, and is vital to the well-being of the local communities.

"This plan aims to ensure sustainable usage of the area for the sake of all who utilise or enjoy it. Whilst further input from industry, marine users and agencies is anticipated, views from the wider public are very much welcomed."

Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister for the Environment says “The Scottish Government is making marine planning and management more efficient, inclusive and accessible – both now and for future generations through the development of the Scottish Marine Bill.”

“I welcome this draft plan, a significant milestone for an area that has been intimately linked with the marine environment for generations. Its production will help inform the future development of marine planning in Scotland and I congratulate everyone involved in its preparation.”

“I would now urge anyone, whether an individual or representative of industry or community, who has an interest in the future of the Sound of Mull, to read the draft plan and put forward any suggestions for improvement”

The development of the Sound of Mull Marine Spatial Plan has been guided by the Sound of Mull Working Group, which comprises a wide variety of local stakeholders who have an interest in the area.

Scottish Natural Heritage is one of the stakeholders on the Working Group. Its South Operations Director, Andrew Bachell, added: "The Sound of Mull supports a number of marine habitats and species of international and national importance and is a busy area for shipping and marine industry such as fish and shellfish farming and tourism. It is therefore absolutely crucial that an efficient and co-ordinated approach is taken, in order to secure this resource. That is what this plan sets out to achieve.”

As part of the consultation the SSMEI project will be holding public drop-in sessions for members of the public to learn more about the plan, and to provide any feedback on how the project has been conducted so far. Drop in session details are as follows:

LOCHALINE - VILLAGE HALL 7th December 3:00pm to 8:00pm

KILCHOAN - COMMUNITY CENTRE 8th December 3:00pm to 8:00pm

TOBERMORY - AROS HALL 9th December 3:00pm to 8:00pm

CRAIGNURE – VILLAGE HALL 10th December 3:00pm to 8:00pm

Copies of the draft Sound of Mull Marine Spatial Plan can be downloaded from www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ssmeisoundofmullconsultation from the 1st of December. The consultation period will last until Sunday the 28th February 2010 and comments received will be used to help finalise the plan ahead of its publication in mid 2010.

Further information is available from Isaac Forster, Project Officer for the Sound of Mull pilot Tel: 01631 567 978, e-mail: ssmeiconsultation@argyll-bute.gov.uk.