Current work on the Papa Stour marine cSAC

Papa Stour marine candidate Special Area of Conservation Open Day and Workshops

On Saturday 12th June 1999 an open day was held in Sandness Community Hall.  The aim of the open day was to encourage everyone with an interest in the marine site to come and talk about the area and what it might mean to them or their communities in the future. 

The main points raised during the workshops are outlined below:

• There was some degree of uncertainty as to what the designation of a marine SAC would mean to people living and working in and around Sandness and Papa Stour, particularly in relation to crofting activity.  It was felt that traditional activities should be encouraged, and that any site management should be achieved through local agreements.  No-one wanted further regulations to be created in order to manage the site.

• A need for more open communications and better understanding between all of the parties involved in the project was highlighted.  This was not only between the statutory organisations and local communities but also between other users of the site, particularly those involved with fishing in the area.  It was felt that working together on this project could help to re-establish the links between people living on Papa Stour and those in Sandness.

• Community involvement in the site was seen as essential to the success of the marine cSAC.  It was felt that the development of site management needs to be a gradual process and carried out with the involvement of people in the local communities.  The education potential of Papa Stour marine cSAC was discussed including the possibility of school children and other interested people becoming involved in marine monitoring projects.

• The marine cSAC has the potential to offer new opportunities in terms of marketing the area to a wider audience and promoting both Papa Stour and Sandness as places for people to visit.  There was support for the development of environmentally friendly tourism, but also concern that the area should not become a ‘honeypot’.  It was suggested that increased use of the area could provide an opportunity to improve the local infrastructure.

• Some concern was expressed over the size and remit of the cSAC.  It was felt that the area within the cSAC may be too small to manage and enforce, and that the focus of the site on the conservation of the reef and sea cave habitats may be too narrow.  Linked to both of these is the problem of conflict between fishermen using static and mobile gear, which occurs mainly outwith the cSAC.  It was felt that more information was needed on the impact of scallop dredging on the reef habitats.

If you would like a copy of the workshop report which gives further details of the discussions, please contact the Project Officer at SIC Environment and Transportation Department, Lerwick.