In November COAST committee members attended the annual conference of the Firth of Clyde Forum. There were lively discussions about; regeneration of the Clyde, opportunities for tourism and living and working on the Clyde. This gave the COAST members the chance to explain their project, say how it could help tourism and how it will help the fragile marine environment of the Clyde, to the 100 or so audience. Chance was also taken to discus the forthcoming Marine National Park, and the benefits it could have to the Firth of Clyde.
DON TOM HOOPER TOM & HOWARD
THE ENGLISH SEND A DELEGATION NORTH OF THE BORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT COAST ARE UP TO.
Tom Hooper Project development officer for Finding Sanctuary came all the way up from Exeter, to speak to COAST committee members & ask there advice on getting communities involved in the planning & implementation of marine protected area in the South West of England.
Tom has returned back to the UK after spending years in East Africa helping 3 different countries plan & implement M.P.A.s, He has spent the last 6 years in Mauritius helping local communities plan a network of marine reserves to lead towards a sustainable fishery. Tom’s advice from his years of experience is that communities must be involved at all stages if they are to be a success. COAST could not agree more with his thoughts. Our main problems stem from a Scottish Executive that ignores the wishes of the Arran community. During 2005 promised meetings with the Inshore Fisheries & Environment Dept. failed to materialise and since the Spring of 2005 all of COASTs letters to them have not even been acknowledged.
“ Finding Sanctuary” is a project backed & funded by English Nature, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly councils to plan & implement a network of Marine Protected Areas in the South-West over the next few years.
Tom was interested in COAST as it is the only community organisation in the UK which is trying to take responsibility for the marine environment on their doorstep. In other parts of the world this “bottom up” approach rather than a government led “top down” approach has achieved more success.
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