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MSP convenes fishers and policymakers on effective marine protection
Creelers, scallop divers and anglers from Orkney and all along the west coast joined Members of the Scottish Parliament to discuss the role of fishing regulations in protecting the marine environment.
Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess and charity Open Seas hosted a Parliamentary event called ‘Fishing the Nor-way’. Attendees heard about Norway’s system of ocean spatial management plans which have led to more jobs in fishing.
Scottish scallop diver Davy Stinson spoke about his experience of fishing in Norway and presented underwater film footage comparing damaged seabed in Scotland with thriving seabed habitats in Norway, where areas of the seabed are protected from bottom-towed trawling and dredging.
Speaking at the event, Ariane Burgess MSP said: “Norway brought in their management plans in response to conflict over valuable marine space in the Lofoten area, home to 70% of their commercial fish stocks. The management plans helped resolve the conflict.
“In Scotland we’re facing the same issue: the spatial squeeze. But the Scottish Government has promised to increase inshore fishing opportunities, and we also need to meet our legal duty to maintain Good Environmental Status.
“How can we achieve both goals without getting around the table with fishers and other coastal stakeholders, and drawing up area-based management plans? Most fishers in Norway now welcome the management measures, because they’ve seen the benefits: both for their bank accounts, and for the marine environment.

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NEW POETRY PUBLICATION
Past Tense Future Imperfect is latest poetry pamphlet from Ullapool poet Jon Miller and is now available from local bookshops.
Jon Miller was recently the winner of the Neil Gunn Prize in 2022 and also of the 2022 International Book and Pamphlet competition, a prestigious award organised by the Poetry Business, a poetry organisation based in Sheffield which has published and encouraged poetry for many years.
‘Here is poetry true to life in its capacity to touch, console and terrify. Superb invention and superlative phrase making create post-modern atmosphere that is often literary and philosophical without seeing pretentious.’ Donny O’Rourke
‘He makes the seemingly mundane…extraordinary with stunning language and unforgettable images.’ Romalyn Ante.

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Coigach Gathering – community meeting Tuesday 23rd May, 7.30pm in Coigach Community Hall
This year’s Coigach Gathering takes place on Saturday 1 July.
Coigach Community Trust (who run the hall) have already booked in some events and activities but now we need your help! It’s usually a great day and a great example of community spirit – everyone getting together and helping out. Many hands make light work and all that!

There will be a meeting in Coigach Community Hall on Tuesday 23rd May, 7.30pm to discuss The Gathering, who’s doing what etc. Please join us for tea, chat and forming a plan of action.
The Gathering is an important event in the Coigach calendar – it’s fun – and importantly, it raises funds to keep our hall going.
If you can’t come to the meeting but want to help please get in touch with Julie Edwards inverpolly@aol.com, Co -chairs Lesley Muir lesleyemuir@gmail.com and Julia Campbell croftercampbell@live.co.uk or any member of the committee: Sue Miller, Iain Simpson, John Foster, Gabi Ross, Sarah Bernstein, Emma MacKenzie and Tim Hamlet.