The natural resources provided by the loch are highly important to the future of the local community. This study has, however, revealed a number of potentially significant sustainability issues which would benefit from further investigation and resolution. These are outlined below along with recommendations on how they might be resolved.
Although the loch is a significant source of employment and income, it is essentially an act of faith that it can continue to be used in the current way. This study has begun to provide a baseline on the state of the loch resource. Without such a baseline, it is difficult to detect trends - good or bad - in the health and productivity of the loch.
use the results of this study to establish a baseline audit of the loch, against which trends in resource status can be detected. Commission re-surveys at fixed time period.
The study indicates some of the links between the land and the sea and provides evidence of the range of life and activity that the loch supports. Historically the sea has been taken for-granted and more importance should be given to the part it plays in supporting coastal communities.
use the results of this study to provide interpretive material for the loch and to show the relationship between resources and uses to local people and decision-makers in each economic sector.
Gear conflict issues have highlighted the difficulty the local community faces in trying to safeguard the natural resources on its doorstep. Although little scientific analysis has been carried out on the effects of trawling and creeling, the local perception is that trawl activity is damaging to the locally landed nephrops catch.
investigate this issue as part of the monitoring process outlined above
Why should any individual fisherman aim to moderate his own exploitation of the resource when someone else is likely to take the catch?
The local fishermen have made a case for the loch to be closed to mobile gear and have put this case to the Scottish Office. Highland Council have requested that the whole of the Inner Sound be made into a static gear only fishery for a three year trial period, although not all fishermenís associations were supportive of this idea. Fishermen in the area are also exploring the possibility of management through the mechanism of a Regulatory Order under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967, although at present this Act does not include nephrops, the most important commercial species. Formulating a suitable order may take a considerable time to do and will require consensus if it is to be effective.
actively progress a regulatory order or other mechanism through a consensus process, ideally linked to point above (limits to no. of creels). It would be helpful for relevant official bodies to provide funding to support a process of dialogue, and develop local capacity with the purpose of establishing local control of the full range of loch uses.
Local fishermen believe that the amount of gear in use in the loch is inappropriate, and that it is not in the long-term interest to continue fishing at the present level.
Adopt a careful and locally-centred dialogue between the fishermen to explore the level of support for voluntary limits to number of creels used.
Recent work by the Wester Ross Fisheries Trust and others has revealed a decline in sea trout and salmon runs to the rivers in the system. This decline is in both numbers and size of fish with an increase becoming apparent in the catches of brown trout as opposed to sea trout in the rivers. Scientific analysis is continuing into the reasons for the decline and the installation of a manned trap in the Shieldaig river will add more locally generated knowledge to the discussions.
The decline in rod caught fish has a commercial impact as guests used to come for lengthy stays to fish. This market has almost completely disappeared along with the attendant employment of local ghillies. Hotels have replaced the lost fishing trade by an increase passing trade, but overall there has been a loss of employment from sea-run fishing.
wild fish and aquaculture interests should work together to test approaches to restoring the runs.
The risk of Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA)
although the fishery audit showed limited concern from salmon farm managers to the threat posed by ISA, the loch is close to infected areas, or potentially affected sites and is within the Marine Laboratory surveillance zone.
Discharge consents for salmon farms in the loch give a theoretical scope for 5500 tonnes production per year. Actual reported production is 2,500 tonnes. Does this mean that the loch is currently at or around its real capacity?
investigate what modelling facilities are available to predict the carrying capacity of sealochs
Some concern was noted about the visual impact of fish farm cages and tourists' reactions to them. Significant improvements have been made in the design of cages and consents now cover the materials used so this may not be as much of an issue as in the past. The study revealed that tourists are interested in aquaculture and there is a possibility of improved interpretive facilities given the importance of employment from the sector to the area.
Investigate the possibility of interpretive provision with local aquaculture interests
This study has revealed a number of potential areas that would be worth further exploration:
Local processing of loch produce : The local prawn processing business has indicated that there is potential to add value to the catch and provide additional local employment. It may be possible to treat other products in this way.
Local marketing of loch produce : There is a demand for local produce and a joint approach to production has proved successful in other areas (for example Skye horticultural producers)
Wildlife / diving tours : The provision of a locally published guide and dive facilities may be possible and there is a demand for boat trips, although prospective operators would have to ensure that overall visitor numbers are enough to support such developments.
Photographic record : The slide set generated by this project is available to the community and can be used to complement existing facilities and to develop further interpretative facilities.
Native fish stocks : Significant decline in sea trout and wild salmon runs is causing concern, and work is being done by others in the area to find out the full extent of the decline and the reasons for it. Within the loch area aquaculture interests, riparian and fishing owners should continue to work together to support and add to this research.
