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Scottish Coastal Forum: Current ICZM initiatives: Spring 2004

THE MORAY FIRTH PARTNERSHIP

The Moray Firth Partnership (MFP) was formed in 1999, having its roots in Scottish Natural Heritage's "Focus on Firths Initiative" which piloted ICZM in the major Scottish Firths.

MFP's objective is to promote the integrated management of the natural, economic, recreational and cultural resources of the Moray Firth area, in order to retain and enhance a high quality of life for all its residents and visitors. It is a voluntary coalition (and independent company), made up of national agencies, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, businesses, community groups, local residents and others.

Strategic planning for ICZM

The first major activity was to develop Management Guidelines for the Firth, through extensive consultation and involvement of the partner organisations. These were implemented by the partners through a series of actions focused on 20 topic areas and assisted by funding from the EU LIFE Environment Programme.

At the same time, MFP supported the development of a Management Scheme for the Bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth cSAC. The Scheme is now in the early stages of implementation through a partnership of key organisations.

In 2002, the Cromarty Firth Liaison Group became part of MFP (see Cromarty Firth Group).

Information and communications

MFP has run an extensive programme of information and educational activities, especially for young people (see website) and a regular newsletter provides a focus for current issues. In the future, MFP intends to broadcast to the wider community in partnership with the local radio and press.

Facilitation and brokerage

One of the most successful activities has been bringing people together around key issues and developing agreed priorities for action. A series of very productive seminars has been held on:

• Soft coast management

• Beach awards and monitoring

• Cultural heritage management

• Climate change

• Water Framework Directive

• Industrialised estuaries

Of current importance is the question of fisheries, and MFP is engaged in a series of activities to bring together all those with an interest. This started with a very positive seminar in March 2003, involving most of the key players. This agreed priority actions, which MFP is now helping to develop. These include a strategic approach to the management of local inshore fisheries, a focus on adding value to the fishery through sustainable harvesting, processing and marketing, and ways of dealing with conflict situations. Engagement with river fisheries stakeholders has also started. This progress with fisheries is remarkable in the light of the previous difficulties of getting fisheries interests to work together. Sandy Patience, representing the Fishermen's Association Ltd, is "impressed by the way in which the Partnership has brought together such a diversity of interests and created dialogue with government bodies, environmental, fishermen's associations and individuals who share a common interest in protecting the Firth for future generations".

Action development

MFP plays a critical role in identifying the need and opportunity for action, and in facilitating partners to work together to achieve this. One current example is a major Coastal Heritage initiative that is in the early stages of planning, involving the key heritage organisations and local communities.

Another such initiative is likely to result in a Coastal Litter Campaign for the Moray Firth. A further, recent proposal is to bring together the many small ports and harbours around the Firth, to develop a strategy for the use and upgrading of harbour facilities.

The future

The Partnership has recently taken a hard look at its future, and has decided to re-organise based on its 10 years' experience in ICZM. The future structure will be more flexible and more adventurous, enabling a strong focus on implementation, whilst retaining the critical strategic overview.

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