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ARCHIVES

This page is for older information that may be of interest to members as well as documents of public record. There are many more inclusions to follow. Please be patient and visit this page again.

ARCHIVES 2008

The Shetland Islands SSMEI Marine Spatial Plan Consultation starts today and runs until 16 May 2008. The Plan has been prompted by the Scottish Government to test a new framework for the sustainable management of the marine and coastal environment and is one of four schemes in Scotland (alongside the Sound of Mull, the Firth of Clyde and Berwickshire). If you’re interested in reading about this development go to the NAFC Marine Centre website. 18/02/08

Download (59kb .doc) discussion items for the next Sound of Mull working group meeting on the 12 February in Lochaline. The document outlines some suggestions for the plan’s objectives and also some potential recommendations which have been put together for consideration to address the interactions discussed at the meeting in November. If you aren’t able to attend the meeting but have any comments on the attached document please feel free to contact Sarah Benfield SSMEI Sound of Mull officer. 04/02/08

Email from Philip Robertson offering a monograph of the Sound of Mull Archaeology Project (SOMAP) which ran from 1994 - 2005. Courtesy of a grant from Historic Scotland to promote dissemination of this work to local and special interest groups you can get a subsidised copy of this publication. 29/01/08

Download (984kb .pdf) John Anderson's contribution to the consultation process regarding developments in Oban Bay. It incorporates an earlier paper "Oban Bay - Problems and Solutions". This response follows the public meeting of 18 January organised by Oban Bay Marine. 23/01/08

Download (880kb .pdf) a leaflet outlining the Diving Code of Conduct for recreational divers in the Firth of Lorn and Loch Creran Marine Areas of Special Conservation. It has been produced by the Coastal Development Unit of Argyll & Bute Council and is endorsed by various diving organisations. 21/01/08

Download (335kb .pdf) a copy of the BSAC's 2007 Annual Incident Report. It contains (anonymous) details of all the UK sport diving incidents (including "tekkie" diving) about which the BSAC has been able to obtain information. Some of it makes some sombre reading but the object of publishing all this information is to enable us all to learn from other divers' experiences and hence dive as safely as possible. 19/01/08

Outcome of the well attended community consultation meeting organised by Oban Bay Marine and chaired by Jim Mather MSP which took place on Friday 18 January 2008 in the Argyllshire Gathering Halls, Oban. Tony Hill attended on behalf of ACBA and reported a positive approach which is being business-led. Read about the meeting on the Oban Bay Marine website or download points noted by the Chair (63kb .pdf). 18/01/08

Download (3.55Mb .pdf) the "Finding NIMAs" report featured on the Scottish Environment LINK website. The report identifies "Nationally Important Marine Areas" which could be protected under a proposed Scottish Marine Bill in addition to the currently designated marine Special Areas of Conservation. If this report is acted upon the authors stress the selection of sites would need to go through a "scientifically robust process". Sites vary from the Sound of Mull to St Kilda so no doubt contains areas within which you work. Sarah Benfield, SSMEI Sound of Mull officer, would be interested in hearing your views on this proposal. 15/01/08

Letter from Sarah Benfield, SSMEI Sound of Mull Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, regarding draft copies of the Landscape Seascape capacity for aquaculture and coastal infrastructure commissioned for the Sound of Mull Project. Read and email Sarah direct to receive a draft copy on CD. 08/01/08

Update on the latest developments within Oban Bay Marine. 04/01/08

ARCHIVES 2007

Download a (83Kb .pdf) statement written by the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network which expresses concern that the destruction of fish stocks is having a negative impact on the sea angling industry. This piece received a mention in today's Sunday Post. 30/12/07

Article in the Oban Times speculating on pontoon developments in Oban Bay. Please note this article has been deemed "useful publicity but has caused confusion". 27/12/07

Letter from John Anderson, Chair of Oban Bay Marine to its members, outlining two recent and significant Oban Bay Marine developments. 22/12/07

Letter from Sarah Benfield, SSMEI Sound of Mull Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, confirming the appointment of John Wilson as the chair of future meetings. 20/12/07

Download a (5.3Mb .pdf) report from the Marine & Coastal Development Unit of Argyll & Bute Council entitled "Marine and Coastal Visitor Management, Public Engagement and Interpretation in Argyll and the Islands: the way forward". The report follows the Unit's 2006 Wildlife Operator Survey. 11/12/07

Download (386kb .pdf) and please help distribute posters for the community drop-in sessions regarding the SSMEI Sound of Mull project on the 18 December 2007 (1145 - 1545) at the Lochaline Village Hall and 19 December 2007 ( 1200 - 1545) at the Council offices in Tobermory. 10/12/07

Minutes from AGM of WHAM (West Highland Anchorages and Moorings Association) which took place today. ACBA is a member of WHAM. 08/12/07

Minutes (68kb .doc) from the meeting of the SSMEI Sound of Mull Working Group held in Craignure 0n 14 November 2007. 03/12/07

Website of new SSMEI Sound of Mull website. 03/12/07

Letter from Sarah Benfield, Argyll & Bute Council, regarding the above meeting and website with links to revised policy documents and a request for working group members to vote on whether they would be happy for John Wilson to chair future meetings (ACBA responded positively to this suggestion). 03/12/07

Notes from Robert Kincaid who attended a meeting of OHUG (Oban Harbour Users Group) today representing ACBA. 22/11/07

Introduction to the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI) for the Sound of Mull introduced in June 2007. Downloads for project briefs and Q&As. Please note ACBA requires a representative willing to attend the SSMEI meetings - travel expenses will be met by the project. 28/09/07

Letter (45Kb .doc) from Mark Carter (Chairman of the Hebridean Partnership) to Richard Lochhead MSP entitled "A Call for a Scottish Conservation Order for Seals". 14/09/07

Letter from Elaine Lauder, Treasurer of Oban Bay Marine, giving information on the development and why it is so important to Oban. 05/09/07

Press Release (43Kb .doc) from Scottish Environment LINK welcoming the announcement by Environment Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead that the new Scottish government intends to introduce a Scottish Marine Bill. 19/06/07

Contacts for the Marine and Coastal Development Unit within Argyll & Bute Council, based in Oban. 06/06/07

OLDER ARCHIVE MATERIAL

2006 (September) Report by Stewart Miller associates in association with John Peden Associates entitled "Overview of the Marine Leisure Tourism Sector in Lochaber". Download (10.0Mb .pdf)

2004 (June) Summary of questionnaire responses by Stewart Miller associates with regard to "Marine Leisure Tourism in Argyll & The Islands". Download (120 kb .pdf)

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Rainbow over the Sound of Mull