Torridon is a remote rural area with some of the lowest population densities in the EC. The environmental quality of the area is such that it has some of the highest level natural heritage designations, few of which affect day to day activity on the loch, but which have implications for development.
A series of three audits of the Loch Torridon complex has shown that the community relies heavily on fishing and other marine-based activity. The study has quantified the significant contribution the loch makes to employment in the area.
There are about 21 boats in the local fleet with the highest value landings from the creel caught prawn catch. A number of fish farms and shellfish units are located within the area and they are also important sources of employment. The loch supports some shellfish gathering and seasonal visitor-dependant boat hire. Visitors are attracted by the rugged nature of the land and sea scape as well as the peace and quiet. Tourism supports a number of businesses throughout the study area. Other areas of employment include tradesmen, builders, the service sector, and distribution. There is no single large employment source and there is a high percentage of self-employment.
A marine biological study by divers has revealed the diversity of habitats within the loch and has described them both visually and in text. Whilst neither the fishery audit nor the dive study has revealed the full bio-productivity of the area, it has provided some indicators and baseline material. Comments from the fishermen indicate that they are concerned for the long term future productivity of the loch if nothing further is done to manage stocks, and they have indicated their willingness to act to conserve stocks. Responses have been made accordingly under the review of the Inshore Fisheries Act.
Fishing and fish farming form the most important sources of employment in the Torridon area. To secure the future of this employment requires continued co-operation in managing the marine resource and the fishermen have indicated a wish to take part in a more localised management system with the aim of ensuring long term productivity.
The loch complex is about 22.5km long with a coastline of 86km and supports the employment directly from the loch of 46 full time in fishing and 40 full time on fish farms. In addition there are 17.5 part time jobs in aquaculture, fishing and processing. The aggregate total through the year is 98 full time job equivalents. There are several people who work at shellfish farming and shellfish gathering, but the exact numbers have not been substantiated.
The number of jobs directly dependant on the loch is augmented by additional jobs on shore, and using the standard Scottish income multiplier calculation of 1.9048 for fishing and 4.6801 for aquaculture, a further 321 fte jobs rely on the loch, although many of these workers are located in service and support sectors, not in the immediate local area.
From the survey carried out around 44% of tourists who visit the area are attracted by the loch. Using this as a basis for calculating the effect on the tourist industry shows 21.12 full time equivalent jobs generated by visitors attracted to the loch. Additional downstream employment would add to this by a factor of 1.74, resulting in another 36.74 full time equivalent jobs.
The most frequent comment on conflicting uses of the loch concerned the recent media interest in the gear conflict issue between predominantly local-based creel boats and visiting mobile gear operators. Of secondary concern was the visual intrusion from aquaculture units, although comment was made regarding improvements in this area.
Further work has been identified during the consultation process which if carried out should provide more information to make informed decisions and identify some mechanism to provide effective local input to sustainable management.
