This report has been prepared as part of the Minch Project, which aims to promote a more sustainable approach to the use of environmental resources in the whole Minch area. Given this purpose, in its conclusions the report also considers the relevance of its findings for the wider Minch area.
The communities bordering the Minch face particular challenges of survival including those posed by remoteness and the lack of employment opportunities. The natural environment is also often regarded as inhospitable and as an impediment to development. But to what extent is this actually the case ? For many people the sea is distinct from the land and there is little connection between the two. However in Torridon and throughout the Minch area the sea and the land are closely linked. In historic times the sea was the transport link as well as providing food and employment. Over time as the bulk of the population has moved away from traditional practices the understanding of the natural resource base has weakened.
The study sets out to obtain a clearer view of the present value and potential production of our inshore waters by reviewing the social, economic and environmental profiles of a specific and well defined area. It is hoped this may aid coastal communities in developing responses to coastal management initiatives such as the pilot Coastal Zone Management strategy developed by Highland Council. The study may also provide some input to discussions on the potential for more local control as a means of maximising economic benefits from coastal waters.
Loch Torridon was chosen for this study because of its range of marine-based economic activities and heritage designations and the background of unresolved conflict between the mobile and static gear fishing interests. In many ways the loch is typical of other sea lochs and there are issues in common with the Minch as a whole.
This report examines the direct economic significance of the environment at the local level, focussing particularly on the marine side and taking Loch Torridon as the resource in question. It addresses three specific questions :
what is the economic significance of the sea loch to the local community ?
is the resource being used sustainably ?
what is the scope for sustainable development of the resource ? (ie development which is consistent with maintaining a healthy and productive environment and which does not prejudice other sustainable uses)
