Listening to the public (not!)
So after careful consideration and advice from the quango that will benefit from the decision, the Scottish Government have undermined the local fishing industry, once again,.
It is with some relief that I note that the second designation has not been approved. Yet.
Further investigation in seal populations are - apparently - required.
Any sign of a study into the decline in the human population in the islands?
The Scottish Government has approved the case for a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) at East Mingulay, south of Barra, while vulnerable Western Isles seal populations are to be better protected.As Guth Bharraigh reported it in early 2009:
Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil has written to Scottish GovernmentEnvironment Minister, Michael Russell MSP, asking that no consultation be held with any view to making the Sound of Barra or east of Mingulay an special area of conservation. Mr MacNeil said: “I met with a local representative group at the weekend, who just feel that they are being strangled by conservation and designation orders. “
They simply do not feel that any consultation should happen or SAC designation made which would take in most of the Sound of Barra and complete encircle the Island of Eriskay. People are frankly sick tired of the perennial conservation industry that comes their way.” He also stated that he was trying to find the person or group responsible in Brussels for this latest conservation bureaucracy to come to the affected islands and state why and explain just what threats they wield if the designation does not take place.
It is with some relief that I note that the second designation has not been approved. Yet.
Further investigation in seal populations are - apparently - required.
Any sign of a study into the decline in the human population in the islands?
12 comments:
As I understand it, these special conservation areas often lead to better fishing in the long-run as the fish in that area are not aware of the boundaries and stray into areas not covered by the zone.
As I understand it, if you get rid of the sea rats (seal) you have more fish for use humans to eat.
As native Islanders are becoming a rare sight on the ground, will SNH now make moves to protect them?
Quite how is homo sapien (hebridensis) becoming rare?
SNH = Seals Not Humans
@6.33, I think that you will find, should you look hard enough that the Islands are filling with white settlers who's voices appear to carry more authority when it comes to influencing politicians. The only people I have heard speak in favour of this nonsense has been incomers with no working link with fishing.
Politicians should also note that when the population feel that they have no voice in a supposed democracy, they often begin a process of civil disobedience: they have no other choice.
Good to see racism is alive and well 9.37AM
I Believe that for a law (in this case SAC) to work you need the support of the people without this the law will be mocked and payed no attention to. Why do you think we have such a nice area BECUASE we look after it.
@ 11:37am, Racism? Where? The term used was 'white settler,' a term often used in the West of Scotland to describe an individual or a group of people of ANY nationality, race gender (or any other politically correct definition)who fail or refuse to integrate into the Culture that they have moved into. They will on the other hand coo and ahh at the beautiful environment and wildlife whilst doing nothing to truly maintain it. They will also run to the police/SNH, RSPB or a combination of all when they see one of the 'ignorant' natives walking home with a cormorant for the pot or damaging the habitat of the 'rare' corncrake; Blisfully unaware that they are interfering in behaviour that is several thousand years old.
Further they pontificate to these said natives about their behaviour and try in every way possible to change this culture. THAT, is the white settler and if that offends you just think how you would enjoy someone coming into your environment and telling you why you should change behaviour that has held your ancestors in good stead in the past.
Also, whilst I have no problem with seals, I fear that this will do more damage that if things had been left well alone. Fishermen will actively target seals and I can just see how much damage a few 45 gallon barrels of heavy oil would do to the coral.
Well done the Parliament!
Always a fine line between racist and bigot. Sorry. My mistake.
You have just shown your true colours.
6.10 thank you very well said.
Neither actually, simply an observer of the reality of life both here and elsewhere.
9:37AM Sorry mate, you're wrong. I spent years - too many years - on groups and committees in the Western Isles. And eventually stopped going to meetings as each was infested with busy bodies.
These busy bodies were a mixture of incomers AND locals. With one commonality; their own opinion was voiced as fact and representing the community (when in reality it never was).
I've seen incomers try and respect local culture and integrate as much as possible. And people born and brought up here who ignore it, and others who live almost completely off grants while blaming every woe on people from outside the islands.
Post a Comment