Marine News
Sent in by John Kinsman, operations manager Coastwatch St Monans, east Fife
Marine protection
Leading representatives of Scotland’s fishing industry have called on the Scottish government to have a radical rethink on its plans to introduce new conservation zones at sea.
The Highly Protective Marine Areas which are currently under consultation, would close at least 10% of the seas around Scotland. It means that commercial and recreational fishing would be banned in those areas. Scotland’s existing network of Marine Protected areas already covers approximately 37% of its seas.
Scottish government ministers insist they will conserve marine ecosystems while continuing to provide economic and social benefits.
But the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation which represents Scotland’s fishermen associations said H.P.M.As will have a catastrophic impact on the fishing industry. SFF chief executive Elspeth MacDonald said the Scottish government’s blue economy plans have been hijacked by the Greens and will push the fishing industry into the red.
Probe after body found
An investigation was under way after a female was found dead on a beach near Anstruther golf course on Friday March 10th.
Police were called to the scene at around 6.40 am following reports of a body been found. Officers said the women’s family have been informed but her identity was not being released.
The coastal path between Anstruther golf course and Pitteneeem was closed while police inquires were carried out.
A police spokesperson said, “Around 6.40am the body of a female was discovered on the beach near Anstruther golf course in east neuk of Fife. Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding her death which at this time officers are not treating as suspicious.”
A cordon was placed around the location. One resident who lives near the golf course said, “It has been a shock, I have not seen anything like this before.”
Coastwatch Duty
Coastwatch St Monans station has had a busy month of March. To date they carried out their daily lookout duties at their lookout station overlooking the Firth of Forth on the cliff top at St Monans. The team were alerted to a paddle boarder in trouble off Elie harbour. The team assembled and headed for the location.
On arrival they spotted the paddle boarder having difficulty staying on his boarder and the team guided him ashore. The team spoke to him about the weather conditions which were getting worse and advised him to abandon his attempt to go paddle-boarding. The team left for their home station, a full team attended the call out.
The team was also called out to check on safety of a creel boat reported to have broken its moorings in Elie harbour. The team made their way to the harbour and located the boat which was in danger of drifting from the harbour on the incoming tide. The vessel was made safe and the team returned its base.
The team also carried out foot patrols along the 12 mile stretch of coastline they cover from Pitteneeem to Lower Largo.
The team welcomed new member Ian Duncan who joined the team recently. Ian will now undergo full training. The St Monans team are now at full strength of 10 volunteers.
Coastal path repairs
Work started recently on repairing the car park and part of the coastal path at Ruby bay near Elie. The car park was closed for a week during the start of the work which Included laying a new tarmac. Also work has started on building a new toilet block at the west end of the car park at Ruby bay.
The work is being carried out on behalf of the Fife coastal and country side trust and is expected to be completed by end of April becoming or May.
HMS Montrose
HMS Montrose has arrived in her name sake Angus town for the final time.
The Royal Navy warship which has travelled more than 400,000 miles in her nearly 30 year lifetime safety docked in Montrose harbour. Members of the public were given one last chance to look around the ship prior to the vessel being decommissioned.
