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 now start next month.

There has recently been vigorous debate in the Scottish Parliament regarding Scotland’s first Marine Bill. This piece of legislation will set the framework for marine planning and management at both a national and local level for coastal and marine areas around Scotland.

The proposed legislation has used four pilot projects to test various methods of planning and management, to better inform this legislation. One of those pilot projects has been conducted in the Sound of Mull.

The four projects are known as the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative or SSMEI, and the Sound of Mull SSMEI has recently completed its Marine Spatial Plan for the area after two and a half years of work.

This plan, which was guided by a local working group of stakeholders and used a large local liaison network for information and comment, has compiled and mapped current activities and interests that are present in the Sound of Mull.

It also makes recommendations on what future developments should take into consideration, to better complement the existing activities in the area, and ensure the well being of the local communities and the environment.

The plan is being released for public consultation on the 1st of December, with the consultation period running until the 28th of February 2010.

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

If you would like to know more about the Sound of Mull SSMEI project you can find it online at: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ssmeisoundofmull

For more information, please contact the project officer, Isaac Forster, directly on 01631 567 978 or at Email: Isaac.forster@argyll-bute.gov.uk