In case you were in any doubt as to the potential impact of cetacean disturbance by the activities listed last night (including shipping), here’s what Marine Scotland say:
Potential impacts associated with these marine activities
The types of impacts that may occur include the following:
- Direct injury (e.g., collision, entanglement, hearing damage)
- Disturbance and displacement
- Exclusion from foraging areas
- Barrier effect
- Habitat loss or degradation
- Indirect effects on prey
- Changes in distribution
- Disruption of communication, migration, breathing, breeding, nursing, feeding or resting
- Excessive use of energy leading to loss of condition (caused by continual or repeatedavoidance or flight)
- Increased vulnerability of an individual or population to predators or physical stress
Potentially serious impact then – with STS there is potential for many of these to occur. Why then will Marine Scotland, who are responsible for ensuring marine EPS are not disturbed (or the activity is licensed), not respond to consultation? It would seem that not do so, is not to discharge one of their duties. On that subject, Cromarty Rising were promised a meeting with Marine Scotland back in December. It’s now June and we are still waiting. Serious questions need to be asked about Marine Scotland.
