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Scottish Coastal Forum: Current ICZM initiatives: Spring 2004
Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative
The Fair Isle Marine Environment and Tourism Initiative (FIMETI) was set up in 1995 by the Fair Isle community, concerned at steady and unremitting damage to its marine environment. The sea around Fair Isle has always played an essential part in community life, both socially and economically, and continues to do so. FIMETI, perceiving no action from other bodies, set out to provide a catalyst for urgent progress towards proper, sustainable management of the Fair Isle marine resource. FIMETI comprises the Fair Isle community, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust and the National Trust for Scotland.
With the financial help of Scottish Office Rural Challenge and RSPB funding, FIMETI produced two policy reports: "Managing the Sea for Birds (1997) and Safeguarding Our Heritage - the Fair Isle marine resource, a community proposal for its sustainable management" (1998). Following this, FIMETI took the lead in a sustainable resource management project with communities in north Norway and Swedish Lapland as part of the EU/Norwegian Government Northern Periphery Programme. A series of reports resulted (available on the project website
http://www.safeinherit.net). A number of booklets relating to various aspects of the natural and cultural values of the Fair Isle marine resource were also prepared, to be published in 2003-04.
In order to communicate with other stakeholders, FIMETI established the Fair Isle Marine Partnership in 1998. FIMETI and FIMP remain separate entities, the Fair Isle Marine Partnership is broader, establishing a forum for all interested parties and users of the Fair Isle marine resource.
Despite little practical progress towards its aim, FIMETI still strives to bring sustainable resource management measures to Fair Isle waters and explores all potential initiatives, such as the ICZM principle which appears to be gaining credence in Scotland.
Nick Riddiford, Co-ordinator,
Fair Isle Marine,
Environment & Tourism Initiative, Schoolton, Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU. Tel: 01595 760250
E-mail:nick.riddiford@fairisle.org.uk
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