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All eyes will be on Lamlash Bay in the next few years if it becomes Scotland’s first Community Marine Conservation Area (CMCA).
Interest in the regeneration project has come not only from Scotland but from countries all over the world as well.
It was not just the announcement of the marine conservation area on Monday – the first in Scotland - that was important; it was also the efforts of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), particularly, and the island community generally, in bringing it about, exemplifying what a community can do if it works together for a common purpose.
Announcing the formation of Lamlash Bay as a CMCA Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment, said the work done to reach this proposal stage was ‘inspirational’.
At Monday night’s public meeting at the new high school Mr Lochhead praised both COAST and the community and said they were an example to follow.
He said: ‘I would like to pay tribute to all the people involved over the years for their stamina and perseverance.
‘They have taken time, energy and courage to achieve this. What is happening in Lamlash Bay and Arran is inspirational and other governments and countries will be looking at what is being done here.’
The marine conservation area could become reality by summer following a three-month consultation period and a further 21 days during which MSPs can raise any issues or objections to the proposal. After that Mr Lochhead will decide.
The setting up of both a no-take zone, where fishing will be prohibited, and a fisheries management zone, mainly to allow the regeneration of scallops, is part of the huge responsibility for its waters that the Scottish Government bears.
Mr Lochhead said: ‘Our marine environment is precious. In Scotland we have the biggest share of European waters, so today is historic in that this is the first time any government in Scotland will have supported such proposals. We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders to look after that precious marine environment.
‘The fact that it is community driven has allowed us to support these proposals. The community has spoken with one voice and we want your view during the consultation period. That is part of democracy.’
The announcement has been met largely favourably by islanders; at least 100 attended Monday’s meeting.
For COAST it is a dream now on the verge of reality after a 13-year fight.
Howard Wood, chairman, was thanked for his and other COAST members’ efforts.
He said: ‘I would like to thank the audience and the community as well as Mr Lochhead for coming. Without the community’s support we would not be sitting here now.’
The attendance at the public meeting of various marine experts showed the importance that is being attached to the creation of the CMCA at Lamlash Bay.
Marine scientist Bill Turrell of the Fisheries Research Services in Aberdeen said he hoped to see fishermen involved much more in the collection of scientific data from the bay.
‘The scale of Lamlash Bay is certainly of the scale where we could also get local help in this monitoring. There are a lot of interesting possibilities,’ he said.
It all now seems plain sailing, but Howard Wood says there is one dark cloud on the horizon.
He said: ‘Just when the news of this exciting groundbreaking project is being announced there has been a proposal made by Marine Harvest for permission to build one of Scotland’s largest fish farms. This would sandwich the no-take zone between the existing fish farm and the new massive proposed fish farm. This is the area which will be scientifically monitored.’
Indeed, despite the public meeting being called to discuss the CMCA, islanders felt they had to voice their fears about the fish farm, its use of chemicals and manure, the effect on the seabed and what the risk of gill disease could be to fish in the conservation area.
Bill Turrell told the meeting that research showed the chemicals used in fish farms should not have an effect but agreed that solids from manure used would sink to the seabed and stay there.
He did not know how the proposed new fish farm would affect the CMCA.
‘I don’t see a deleterious effect building up,’ he said. ‘Farms are laid fallow and then rested. They are managed in a proper way. Water on the seabed is flushed and solids stay on the seabed.’
Another fear was that there was nothing to stop one fisherman coming in and taking the stock, as happened in a similar venture on the Isle of Man, but other fishermen put a stop to it there.
Arran MSP Ken Gibson, who was instrumental in bringing Mr Lochhead to the island to make the announcement, said it had been a wonderful evening and a great day for Arran.
