Protecting our seas – views invited
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VIEWS are to be sought in Elgin and Banff on plans to expand Scotland’s network of protected sea areas.
The Scottish Government is consulting on four possible Marine Protected Areas (pMPAs) for Scotland's seas.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is running drop-in sessions for members of the public to find out more about the plans.
One of the possible protected areas – the Southern Trench – is located in the Outer Moray Firth and consultation events will be held in Banff and Elgin.
Minke whales, burrowed mud, fronts and shelf deeps are found in the Southern Trench. Fronts are created there by warm and cold waters mixing, which makes it an area of high productivity, attracting various predators. Minke whales are drawn by the fish species brought to the area by the fronts, as well as the abundance of sandeels in the soft sands.
The site takes its name from the trench running parallel to the Moray coast. The trench is up to 250m deep and the soft mud on its floor is home to many species of mud-loving creatures, including Nephrops and crabs.
People's views are invited on the case for protected status, the possible environmental and socio-economic impacts, and management.
Katie Gillham, SNH head of marine ecosystems, said: "If designated, these new sites will contribute to the completion of the MPA network in Scotland’s seas and offer protection for important habitats and species. These include large numbers of basking sharks, minke whales and Risso’s dolphins that use these areas for breeding and feeding.
"The designation will also contribute to fulfilling Scotland’s international commitments to secure the health and biodiversity of our seas.
"We want to ensure that these proposals work for people and nature, and these events are a great opportunity for individuals and groups to come along, speak to our experts and find out more."
The public consultation runs for 12 weeks from June 7 to August 30. The sessions will take place, between 2-8pm, on Monday, June 24, in Banff's Fife Lodge Hotel and Thursday, June 27, at Elgin Town Hall.
