NOTE of OPEN MEETING BURGHEAD HABOUR Held at the Station Hotel and Burghead Harbour, 21 March Attending (in alphabetical order)

Transcription

1 NOTE of OPEN MEETING BURGHEAD HABOUR Held at the Station Hotel and Burghead Harbour, 21 March 2015 Attending (in alphabetical order) Marios Anderson, Fisherman Duncan Brown, Moray Council Harbours Manager Alan Donn, Moray Firth Inshore Fishermen s Association and Vice Chair Moray Firth & North Coast IFG Graham Humphries, KIMO Kathryn Logan, MF&NC IFG Secretariat Philip McLeod, Fisherman Steven Ramsay, Fisherman Neil Sutherland, Fisherman and Chair of Under 10 metre group, Scottish White Fish Producers Assoc. Katalin Urquhart, Moray FLAG John Wilson, Fisherman Michael Barclay, Fisheries Officer, Buckie John Cox, Chair Moray Firth & North Coast IFG Edwin Flett, Fisherman and Secretary, Moray Firth Inshore Fishermen s Association Margo Howe, Councillor Moray Council and North East John Mackay, Burghead Harbour Master Duncan Pockett, Chair Moray FLAG Barry Stewart, Fisherman Chris Tuke, Councillor Moray Council David Wilson, Fisherman (This note is a summary of proceedings, not in order of discussion). 1- Introduction The meeting was jointly called by the Moray Firth and North Coast Inshore Fisheries Group (MF&NC IFG) and Moray Council Harbours to provide an opportunity for discussion regarding a call by fishermen for fuel bunkering facilities at Burghead Harbour, and to celebrate the opening of the new chiller and ice machine at the harbour. John Cox, Chair of MF&NC IFG gave a brief introduction to the IFG work to represent and support local fisheries interests, then introduced Duncan Brown, the recently appointed Harbours Manager for Moray Council.

2 2- Fuel Bunkering Duncan noted that there had once been a fuel tank at Burghead harbour but this had been removed and not replaced over twenty years previously. All the main Highland Council harbours had fuel bunkers; therefore he was keen to see the same provision at Moray harbours. Buckie harbour also wanted a facility. The council had no funds, but would be willing to undertake ongoing maintenance if money could be found to pay for installation of a tank. The harbour master estimated that each local fishing vessel might use around 500 litres per week in summer, so a total need for around 10,000 litres per week. In order to get a full tanker load of fuel at best prices, and not to have to wait till the tank was nearly empty to order, at least 40,000 litre capacity would be required. Duncan advised of potential issues if a privately owned fuel tank was located on council harbour ground. It might be possible for the council to own and maintain the tank and to charge a small levy of x pence per litre fuel used to pay for the costs of maintenance, billing etc. It was agreed that Duncan and John Mackay would liaise with harbour users regarding how much fuel they use and the optimum size of tank, where the tank should be located, options for billing etc. This would enable costs to be obtained, and then work could start on finding funding. Some fishermen mentioned that one or more private companies had expressed interest in providing bunkering facilities, but it was noted that the council would have to go through an open procurement procedure with approved providers. 3- Other Equipment Requirements (i)davits Edwin Flett had been researching best options for an electrical davit / winch to help load fish boxes from vessels onto the pier. Duncan confirmed that an annual inspection, maintenance and insurance would be required, and all users would have to undergo safety training, which would have to be factored into the cost. The council would not likely be willing to take on the liability of providing such equipment due to the safety implications, but would be happy to explore options with fishermen. (ii) Electric Pallet Mover David Wilson and others raised the urgent need for a small electric pallet mover to replace the flatbed trolley currently in use. Men had to make multiple trips with heavy fish boxes, sometimes the length of the pier, to avoid overloading the trolley.

3 A small electric pallet-mover cost in the region of Two units would be ideal - 5,000. The units could be stored in the net-mending shed. Duncan advised that, again, the council would have issues with using mechanical plant like this and there would be a need for and annual inspection, maintenance and insurance, and for all users to be trained. The fishermen present agreed they would be willing to get training, although it was not clear that this was a requirement at other harbours that already used similar equipment. It was agreed to continue to look at options and costs and the council would support the fishermen where it could to improve the local facilities and to secure external funding. 4- General Updates (a) European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Katalin advised that the new EMFF funding (LEADER and Fisheries fund will have to be aligned with each other) was still being finalised and was now likely to be launched later in Anyone with project ideas was welcome to discuss these in principle with Katalin who could then pass them on to the EMFF project manager once the scheme started. (b) Landing Obligation There was still no clear information regarding how the Landing Obligation (Discards Ban) would operate in practice. As well as issues for fishing vessels, it could have significant implications for local harbours if quantities of fish were landed that were not marketable, as separate, chilled storage facilities would be required and the possibility of unsold product having to go to landfill. (c) New Dredger The Moray Council had ordered a new dredging vessel which was to be built at Macduff and was to be completed by end March (d) Rig and Tanker Anchoring Issues Neil Sutherland confirmed the success of discussions the previous year with oil rig handling companies through the MF&NC IFG, which had resulted in an alternative anchorage area being identified away from fishing grounds. Large anchor holes provide a significant safety hazard for smaller vessels, as gear can become trapped in the holes and could cause the vessel to capsize at worst, and in any case to lose valuable fishing time in trying to retrieve gear from the hole. He mentioned the loss of local vessel Ellie May with the skipper found still in the wheelhouse, which raised speculation that his gear may have become trapped. New discussions were ongoing to try to find alternative anchorage areas for tankers and larger shipping using the inner firth. It had been thought that many of these vessels were en route to Invergordon, but following a meeting with Torquil Macleod, the Port of Cromarty Firth harbour master, it was clear that was not the case. The port had offered to help by gathering information on vessel movements from AIS and to raise the safety concerns of fishermen through appropriate channels. Neil was due to send chart information showing other potential anchorage areas to the MF&NC IFG secretariat to move forward in the consultation process. This issue would also be discussed at the next meeting of the MF&NC IFG at Inverness on the morning of Friday 27 March, and anyone interested was welcome to attend. An invitation had already been extended to Duncan Brown.

4 (e) Local Seafood Initiatives The Seafood- See Here! project being run by the Moray Firth Partnership (with support from Moray FLAG as well as the Aberdeenshire and Highland FLAG areas) aimed to raise public awareness of the quality seafood being landed locally and where it could be purchased. This was part of a longer term initiative to increase demand for local seafood in the area, rather than imported product, which would also benefit local fishermen and communities. A range of education initiatives were planned, plus a website, to encourage more net to plate opportunities. The project was also part of the East Scotland Seafood Trail working group, which was developing a project to promote seafood across the wider Scotland area. It was suggested that more support needs to be provided for local seafood initiatives as well as export drives. Both Seafood Scotland and Seafish had stands at a recent export event in Boston. (f) EFF Project Succorfish AIS units John Cox advised that there had been good uptake on the Succorfish units. The 300 units had been allocated, but the project coordinators were operating a waiting list in case any became available. Anyone interested could contact the coordinators, or the MF&NC Secretariat. (g) KIMO and Fishing for Litter Graham Humphries gave a short talk and video presentation about KIMO, which works with a range of countries and in the UK to help improve the marine environment and keep it clean and litter free. Through the Fishing for Litter scheme, participating fishing vessels are provided with robust bags to contain rubbish caught in nets and bring it ashore, where it is weighed and held in skips (also provided through the project )before being removed to landfill. The long term removal of rubbish helps reduce cost to the fishing fleet through gear damage and lost fishing time. KIMO was keen to get more local authorities and fishermen to sign up to the scheme. Aberdeenshire had been involved for many years and it was hoped that Moray would agree to take part. KIMO was just about to celebrate its 10 th anniversary. Since it was founded, fishermen had collected over 800 tonnes of litter from 212 vessels. The project wanted to get at least 300 vessels involved and had a target to collect 1200 tonnes of litter by Neil Sutherland advised that the Moray Firth was generally not so affected by litter as other areas (such as the Clyde where he had fished previously) and that more vessels were now bringing litter ashore rather than putting it back in the sea to be caught again. Anyone interested in participating in the KIMO scheme was asked to get in touch. (E: KimoUK@Aberdeenshire.gov.uk) (h) Nitrogen Fertilisers Marios raised a separate issue regarding high nitrate levels in the area from local farm and forestry use of fertilisers, which appeared to be damaging local burns and causing increased algal growth. Anyone with information was asked to raise this matter with the local council and to contact SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Council). Graham agreed to raise this issue through the new Scottish Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group. 5- New Chiller and Ice Machine A new chiller and ice machine had been installed at Burghead harbour during December 2014, thanks to funding from the Moray FLAG (Moray European Fisheries Fund) and from Marine Scotland through the

5 Moray Firth and North Coast Inshore Fisheries Group. Securing the funding had been a real group effort involving many individuals, but particular thanks were due to Barry Stewart and David Wilson who had spent considerable time in pulling together initial applications and costings, and to the Moray Firth and Inshore Fishermen s Association. The final applications went forward through Moray Council so thanks were due to all the staff involved and to the IFG secretariat for helping to coordinate matters. The group moved down to the harbour to inspect the new facilities and the Moray FLAG Chair, Duncan Pockett, formally opened the facility with John Cox representing the Inshore Fisheries Group. John Cox thanked Kathryn for organising everything and her invaluable service on behalf of the IFG. The meeting concluded with a light lunch hosted by the Moray Firth and North Coast Inshore Fisheries Group, including seafood provided through the Seafood- See Here! project. End. Contacts:- The Moray Firth and North Coast IFG Chair: John Cox E: johncox@mfnc-ifg.com M: f: MF&NC IFG Secretariat, c/o Moray Firth Partnership, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, INVERNESS, Scotland. IV3 8NW T: admin@mfnc-ifg Scottish IFG Website: Inshore Fisheries Groups in Scotland aim to offer an innovative, partnership-led and locally specific approach to fisheries management. Moray Council -Harbours Duncan Brown, Development & Operations Manager Environmental Services, Moray Council E: Duncan.brown@moray.gov.uk T: M: Burghead Harbour Master John Mackay, e: john.mackay@moray.gov.uk T: xxxxxxx M: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ><((( o >...><((( o >...><((( o >

6 European Fisheries Fund Investing in sustainable fisheries THIS PROJECT WAS PART-FINANCED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (Moray Fisheries Local Action Group) EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND AXIS 4 Programme