COAST news

COAST reports that the proposed management plans announced in early June for our MPAs are in real danger of being diluted or possibly abolished completely. As COAST explains “The Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Richard Lochhead, has a public duty to be ‘ambitious’ for Scotland’s coastal communities and marine environment. Yet interests promoting the controversial practices of scallop dredging and bottom trawling are attacking him for using this word in relation to what are actually very modest Marine Protected Area (MPA) management proposals. The Government’s proposals will only effect 1.6% of scallop dredging gross turnover and 1.3% of bottom trawling, and even this assumes the vessels wont simply fish elsewhere (the mobile sector has emphasized repeatedly that this will happen as an argument against MPAs – so they can’t have it both ways). In addition, many MPAs including the South Arran MPA will still allow some dredging or bottom trawling to continue (36% of the  South Arran MPA will still be available to bottom trawlers). Despite this, an often hysterical sounding mobile sector is scaremongering coastal communities by declaring the MPA network will end life as we know it on the West coast. Let’s be clear, it will not. While Lochhead’s measures may well be ‘ambitious’ in the face of this blinkered opposition, they can only be accurately described as ‘modest’ by any reasonable standards.”Thousands of constituents were not invited to submit evidence or even asked to write evidence to the RACCE committee who are holding a meeting with only commercial fishing interests.Thousands of constituents were not invited to submit evidence or even asked to write evidence to the RACCE committee who are holding a meeting with only commercial fishing interests.

Meanwhile COAST’s new Communications and Administration Officer, Manuela de los Rios, has recently taken up post, replacing the much-loved Andy Telford. The Voice asked her to tell us something about her background.

As a marine scientist specialised in ICZM and environmental education, Manuela has worked for the past 13 years in coastal management, environmental awareness and local sustainable development initiatives for coastal communities across Europe.

Can you tell our readers something about yourself – where were you born, where did you grow up and study?

I was born in London, and grew up in Muswell Hill with my mother (from Portsmouth), father (from Malaga), brother and sister. We moved to Spain when I was nine years old but I came back every summer and did my MSc in Coastal Management in Bournemouth.

How did you become involved in marine conservation?

I have always been attracted to the sea because of its power. Power to make you feel, create, learn, change and finally jump in! So I decided to study marine sciences but personally focusing on our relationship with the sea as human beings. This is what led me to specialise in Integrated Coastal Management, Environmental Education and Communications while getting involved in a few coastal community initiatives.

What were you doing before coming to Arran? Can you tell us about the work you were involved in.

Local sustainability initiatives in various European countries and for EU projects (such as IMCORE or ENCORA) as well as teaching for organisations such as the University of Cadiz and evaluating environmental projects.

I have become more and more interested in using creative arts and communications in my social and environmental projects. In Cadiz, where I lived before moving to Arran with my French partner and three children, I was coordinating an experiential learning project. Ten women from different nationalities discovered and learnt about their local coastal environment, involving their neighbourhood. They created photography, stories, a video and mixed media art that was used for street performances to raise awareness.

What made you want to take up this post with COAST?

On the one hand I thought Arran was a fantastic place to be: nature, heritage, arts, community…it ticks all the boxes! On the other hand I sensed COAST was the kind of organisation that I want to work for; people who are passionate about what they are doing, real community involvement and a commitment to making things happen.

Are there particular things you would like to focus on or achieve with COAST?

I’m really looking forward to the management measures for the MPA to be passed so that I can help develop further our innovative marine interpretation, community outreach and research. The people and businesses of Arran will be playing a very important role in seizing this grand opportunity of having an MPA on their doorsteps and the challenge of taking care of it.

And finally, how has the move here with your family gone, so far?

I must say it has been very positive, I’d like to thank all the people who have been so kind in helping us settle in, find accommodation and make us feel we are already part of this great Arran community.

Thank you Manuela, and welcome to Arran!