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CONSULTATION ON A MARINE RESERVE IN LAMLASH BAY, ARRAN
Background
1. It is proposed that part of Lamlash Bay, which is located off the East Coast of Arran, will become a Marine Reserve underpinned by Statute.
2. The background to this is that carrying on from work undertaken over a number of years by the Community of Arran Seabed Trust ( COAST) on possible marine management in Lamlash Bay, the Lamlash Bay Working Group was established to further develop proposals. The Working Group is made up of representatives of COAST, the Clyde Fishermen's Association ( CFA), Fisheries Research Services ( FRS) and Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH). It is chaired by Isabel Glasgow, who also chairs the Firth of Clyde forum, and a Scottish Government representative also attends meetings of the Group.
3. The proposals put forward by the Group are for a Marine Reserve, which would be a no take zone, and a Fisheries Management Area. Collectively the sites would form a Community Marine Conservation Area. The Marine Reserve would be underpinned by an Order made under the Inshore Fishing Scotland Act while the Fisheries Management Area would be implemented by a Regulating Order granted under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967. Both statutory measures would be enforced by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency ( SFPA).
4. This consultation fulfils the commitment made by Mr Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, In Arran High School on 21 January.
Consultation
5. The proposed Marine Reserve and the proposed Fisheries Management Area are complementary and as stated above would be components of a Community Marine Conservation Area. PLEASE NOTE, however, that this consultation deals only with the proposed Marine Reserve. The proposed Fisheries Management Area will be subject to separate consultation in line with the requirements of the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.
6. The purpose of the Marine Reserve would be to maintain and improve biodiversity. It would be subject to ongoing monitoring so that the improvements, or otherwise, to the site could be identified and assessed. Consideration would also be given to any educational and tourism benefits and to benefits more generally which could be derived from the designation.
7. You are invited to respond to the following questions:
Question 1. Do you agree or disagree with the proposal to establish a Marine Reserve in Lamlash Bay?
Question 2. Do you think there would be any (a) positive or (b) negative implications should a Marine Reserve be established in Lamlash Bay?
Question 3. Are there any other points which you would like to make in relation to the proposed Lamlash Bay Marine Reserve?
Accompanying information
8. The following accompanying information is enclosed with this letter:
- a draft of the Order which, subject to this consultation, would statutorily underpin the proposed Marine reserve is attached as Annex A;
- an indicative map of the area which would be covered by the proposed marine reserve is attached as Annex B; and
- a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment of Order being made is attached as Annex C.
9. The responder information form is Attached as Annex D.
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