Also in the news / MPA warning, harbour traffic, beer shortlisted and more…
HIGHLANDS and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has warned that the latest proposals to restrict fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs) could potentially cost the industry as much as £66 million.
The Scottish Government opened a consultation into banning certain fishing gear in 20 MPAs yesterday (see our story here).
Halcro Johnston said these proposals come at a time when fishermen were already facing challenges from the cost of living crisis and wind farm developments.
“It was only after sustained pressure from fishermen and the Scottish Conservatives that the then SNP-Green coalition finally abandoned its deeply unpopular proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas last year,” he said.
“That experience showed how little SNP ministers in Edinburgh considered the needs of those communities who rely heavily on our waters, and I warned then that the Scottish Government would likely try and bring back new proposals which risked serious impact on the sector. That now appears to be the case.”
However, Shetland Fishermen’s Association said on Monday that it was committed to engaging with the consultation, pointing out that MPAs were different from HPMAs, and that consulting on fisheries management measures had previously been agreed between government and the industry.
Photo: Alexander Simpson
LERWICK Port Authority (LPA) has reported a significant increase in traffic across sectors in the first half of 2024.
Vessel arrivals were up six per cent at 2,586, including a 10 per cent rise in fishing boats, reflecting improved numbers and landings across whitefish and pelagic sectors, and a 20 per cent jump in oil vessels compared to the same period last year.
The tonnage of vessels – at 7,959,689 gross tonnes – showed a 33 per cent increase. Offshore industry tonnage at 667,377 gross tonnes was up 62 per cent, which includes shipments for Equinor/Ithaca Energy’s Rosebank field development, and decommissioning projects using the recently-completed Phoenix Decom facility at Greenhead Base.
LPA chief executive Captain Calum Grains said: “The increased activity across varioussectors and the opportunities for the Shetland supply chain were outstanding features of the period.
“Coupled with the recently announced next phase of port developments, the performance underpins future operations.”
LERWICK Brewery’s 60° North Lager has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Beer & Cider Product of the Year category of the 2024 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
60° North Lager is cold conditioned for at least four weeks to develop its distinctive taste.
The company’s head brewer Jonny Sandison said: “Following our success at being shortlisted in the Scottish Beer Awards, we are beyond delighted to have also been shortlisted for the prestigious Beer & Cider Product of the Year.
“It is a pleasure to be flying the flag for Shetland, showcasing the fantastic food and drink we produce on the islands, and bringing it to a wider audience.”
The winners will be announced on 9 October at the Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Awards.
PARENTS have less than two weeks to tell the government their 16-19 year-old is continuing education or training, or their child benefit payments will stop.
For parents of 16-19-year-olds who have not yet extended their claim, child benefit payments will stop after 31 August.
HMRC’s director general for customer services Myrtle Lloyd said: “Child benefit is an important financial support for many households and we don’t want to see any eligible family miss out.
“You can extend your claim quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK.”
Child benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first or only child, and up to £881 a year for every additional child.
TWO COLLECTIONS of large textile art panels produced by artist Jacqui Parkinson are set to tour a number of local churches over coming weeks.
One of her collections on the theme of creation will be located in St Magnus Episcopal Church, at Lerwick’s Greenfield Place, and will open daily until 20 October from 9am – 5pm.
The second collection is on the theme of prayer and will tour the islands. The panels can be seen in the following locations:
- Lerwick Methodist Church, Hillhead: Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm until 11 Sept, and from 7pm to 9pm on 22 and 28 August as well as on 9 September
- St John’s Kirk, Baltasound, Unst: 16-22 September, times to be advertised locally
- Whiteness Methodist Chapel, 10am to 4pm on 28 and 29 September with harvest crafts
- Bridge End Kirk, Burra: 1 to 4 October 10am to 4pm with Shetland Wool Week craft display
- Whalsay Kirk Hall, near fire station: 7 to 11 October between 2pm and 5pm.
Parkinson said: “Prayer is all about establishing a personal relationship with God, revealing our feelings and thoughts to a most reliable friend. It is a relationship which is constantly being renewed and explored.”
Parish development worker Michele Simms said: “This is a great example of the churches across the denominations working together to offer hospitality and the chance to engage with beautiful art.”
MAREEL is hosting Love the Sinner during two nights in the first week of September, described as a fusion of performance poetry, visual theatre and live electronic music from Sonia Killmann.
Written and performed by poet Imogen Stirling, the show follows seven characters as they struggle to comprehend their place in a world bladed with criticism and obsessed with self-betterment.
Tickets for the shows on 5 and 6 September cost £10 and are available online from tickets.shetlandarts.org, in-person at the Box Office in Mareel, or by calling on 01595 745 500.
