11 February 2022 Issue 2468 © ULLAPOOL NEWS
NATIVE OYSTER TRIAL LOCHBROOM
Just in case anyone is wondering about the floating buoys at the head of Loch Broom, they are part of a small trial oyster nursery containing 5000 baby native oysters (or ‘spat’). They are part of a trial to see whether they will thrive in the Loch; and if they do the aim is to grow them on to around 12g (50p size) and release 100’000 a year in Loch Broom and other sites nearby, to see whether we can restore lost native oyster beds.
We also plan to suspend ‘Oyster Hoister’ cages from the new pontoons in Ullapool next year so that some oysters are easily accessible to those that want to learn about native oyster restoration and monitoring. It should be noted that native oysters (Ostrea edulis) are not the same as Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) which are the ones that are predominantly grown commercially for the shellfish market.
Native Oyster beds were once an important fishery around Scotland’s coasts, but due to human predation, disease and in some cases pollution, they have declined by 95% across Europe. Science increasingly recognises their importance not just to filter and clean water (an adult filters around 200 litres a day), but also as a vital habitat for many sea creatures. They also provide spawning grounds for commercial fish species. Native oysters are now so rare that they are a protected species.
There are a lot of dead oyster shells at the head of Loch Broom, and in various ‘midden’ sites locally, so they were clearly once abundant in this area, and there is anecdotal evidence of them being an important food source locally. To that end, if anyone has any information on native oyster fisheries, or evidence of living or dead shells in Loch Broom or wider Wester Ross/Assynt we would love to hear about it.
The project is in association with Seawilding which is a community-led project based in Argyll, where they have been restoring lost native oysters and seagrass in Loch Craignish with the aim of restoring biodiversity and the health of the sea loch. Our plan is to do the same at Loch Broom and involve as many community groups and schools as possible.
You can find out more about Seawilding on their website – http://www.seawilding.org and if you’d like to learn more about the project or have information to share. ailsa.mclellan@yahoo.com
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Lael Land Management Plan Consultation
Forestry and Land Scotland is reviewing its Land Management Plan for the national forests and land in Lael. The new plan will encompass the felling and restock plans as well as the main objectives and focusses for 2022-2032.
On 28th March a public consultation will be held in Braemore Hall from 19.00 to 21.00. At this event the draft plan will be presented and feedback from the community will be sought. We’d invite anyone with an interest in the woods to attend and comment on our plans.
For more information please go to the Lael Consultation webpage:
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/planning/consultations/lael-lmp-2
Because of Covid-19 attendance will need to be managed. Therefore, we ask people to book a slot by e-mailing Eelco.dejong@forestryandland.gov.scot. If you are not booked we cannot guarantee entry to the event.
If you are unable to make this event or have other questions or comments, please email Eelco.dejong@forestryandland.gov.scot.
*****
GUIDANCE FOR WOODLAND OWNERS AFTER STORMS
New practical and easy to understand guidance for owners of small woodlands has been published to help them clear storm damaged trees.
The guidance is aimed at woodland owners who may not have experienced windblow of this scale before and are not sure of the key steps needed to manage the recovery of timber.
https://forestry.gov.scot/publications/1394-top-10-tips-for-storms/viewdocument/1394
A Top Ten checklist, supported by a more detailed information note, is now available online. It has been produced by Scottish Forestry and Confor, in consultation
*******
We would love to receive your digital photographs for the top of our home page; in particular pictures of local wildlife, nature or landscapes. (No people please)
A credit can be added if you wish.
Please send to advertising@theullapoolnews.co.uk
NATIVE OYSTER TRIAL LOCHBROOM
Just in case anyone is wondering about the floating buoys at the head of Loch Broom, they are part of a small trial oyster nursery containing 5000 baby native oysters (or ‘spat’). They are part of a trial to see whether they will thrive in the Loch; and if they do the aim is to grow them on to around 12g (50p size) and release 100’000 a year in Loch Broom and other sites nearby, to see whether we can restore lost native oyster beds.
We also plan to suspend ‘Oyster Hoister’ cages from the new pontoons in Ullapool next year so that some oysters are easily accessible to those that want to learn about native oyster restoration and monitoring. It should be noted that native oysters (Ostrea edulis) are not the same as Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) which are the ones that are predominantly grown commercially for the shellfish market.
Native Oyster beds were once an important fishery around Scotland’s coasts, but due to human predation, disease and in some cases pollution, they have declined by 95% across Europe. Science increasingly recognises their importance not just to filter and clean water (an adult filters around 200 litres a day), but also as a vital habitat for many sea creatures. They also provide spawning grounds for commercial fish species. Native oysters are now so rare that they are a protected species.
There are a lot of dead oyster shells at the head of Loch Broom, and in various ‘midden’ sites locally, so they were clearly once abundant in this area, and there is anecdotal evidence of them being an important food source locally. To that end, if anyone has any information on native oyster fisheries, or evidence of living or dead shells in Loch Broom or wider Wester Ross/Assynt we would love to hear about it.
The project is in association with Seawilding which is a community-led project based in Argyll, where they have been restoring lost native oysters and seagrass in Loch Craignish with the aim of restoring biodiversity and the health of the sea loch. Our plan is to do the same at Loch Broom and involve as many community groups and schools as possible.
You can find out more about Seawilding on their website – http://www.seawilding.org and if you’d like to learn more about the project or have information to share. ailsa.mclellan@yahoo.com
*****
Lael Land Management Plan Consultation
Forestry and Land Scotland is reviewing its Land Management Plan for the national forests and land in Lael. The new plan will encompass the felling and restock plans as well as the main objectives and focusses for 2022-2032.
On 28th March a public consultation will be held in Braemore Hall from 19.00 to 21.00. At this event the draft plan will be presented and feedback from the community will be sought. We’d invite anyone with an interest in the woods to attend and comment on our plans.
For more information please go to the Lael Consultation webpage:
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/planning/consultations/lael-lmp-2
Because of Covid-19 attendance will need to be managed. Therefore, we ask people to book a slot by e-mailing Eelco.dejong@forestryandland.gov.scot. If you are not booked we cannot guarantee entry to the event.
If you are unable to make this event or have other questions or comments, please email Eelco.dejong@forestryandland.gov.scot.
*****
GUIDANCE FOR WOODLAND OWNERS AFTER STORMS
New practical and easy to understand guidance for owners of small woodlands has been published to help them clear storm damaged trees.
The guidance is aimed at woodland owners who may not have experienced windblow of this scale before and are not sure of the key steps needed to manage the recovery of timber.
https://forestry.gov.scot/publications/1394-top-10-tips-for-storms/viewdocument/1394
A Top Ten checklist, supported by a more detailed information note, is now available online. It has been produced by Scottish Forestry and Confor, in consultation
*******
We would love to receive your digital photographs for the top of our home page; in particular pictures of local wildlife, nature or landscapes. (No people please)
A credit can be added if you wish.
Please send to advertising@theullapoolnews.co.uk
