6 January 2007

GREEN Highlands and Islands MSP Eleanor Scott has used the anniversary of the grounding of the tanker Braer to call for decisive action to protect the Scottish marine environment.

The Braer grounded at Garth Ness, in Shetland, in the morning of 5 January 1993, spilling its entire cargo of 85,000 tonnes of crude into the sea.

The Green party is pushing the Scottish executive to lobby Westminster to follow the Norwegian example and introduce compulsory shipping lanes, which could help protecting delicate marine environments.

Dr Scott also wants the executive to introduce a Marine Act for Scotland, which should “replace the patchy and incoherent regulations governing marine resources”.

“Norway has set a precedent by taking this step to protect their coastline from the danger of oil spills and other pollution,” she said.

According to new regulations Norway is to implement in summer this year, all vessels carrying oil and gas or other dangerous loads must follow new lanes from the Lofoten to the Russian border.

The lanes running north and south, 30 nautical miles from shore, will be separated by a three mile safety zone.

The measures are aimed at reducing the danger of oil spills and other pollution from the increasing transport of oil and gas from Russia to the world market.

Dr Scott added: “Last year, the Minches were identified as a Marine Environmental High Risk Area, an area of high environmental sensitivity and at risk from shipping activity.

“Since the MV Jambo freighter sank in the Minches and the Braer disaster, off Shetland, 14 years ago, it's been very clear that Scotland's marine environment needs to be protected with robust measures including a Marine Act.

“Otherwise, another serious incident involving shipping could be simply a matter of time.

“Every time the seas are polluted, the fishing industry suffers huge losses because restrictions or bans have to be imposed. Protecting our seas and marine resources is essential if we are to protect the livelihoods of fishermen.

“We cannot afford to wait until more damage is done - communities are depending on the Scottish Parliament and the UK government to take action,” the MSP said.