Have your say on SEPA plans

THE Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is launching a series of consultation sessions this week over new proposals to tighten the environmental monitoring of fish farms.
The agency published its draft Finfish Aquaculture Sector Plan last week, outlining stricter standards for the organic waste deposited by fish farms, and the introduction of more accurate modelling.
The new regulatory regime will also allow farms to expand in ‘sustainable locations’, but environmental controls will be strengthened and a new enforcement unit will be created.
The industry and other stakeholders now have a chance to discuss the SEPA recommendations, beginning with a drop-in meeting on Arran on Thursday.
The seven-week public consultation includes nine events across Scotland during November and December, and concludes on December 24.
The drop-in sessions are as follows:
Arran – November 15, 2.30pm-6.30pm, Auchrannie Resort, Auchrannie Road, Isle of Arran, KA27 8BZ.
Portree – November 20, 2.30pm-7.30pm, Skye Gathering Hall, 1934 Bank Street, Fancy Hill, Portree, IV51 9DD.
Tarbert – November 23, 2.30pm-7.30pm, Harris Hotel, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3DL.
Ullapool – November 23, 2.30pm-7.30pm, Macphail Centre, 5 Mill Street, Ullapool, IV26 2UN.
Kirkwall – November 27, 2.30pm-7.30pm, Kirkwall & St Ola Community Centre, Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, KW15 1DH.
Lerwick – November 28, 3pm-7.30pm, Shetland Museum & Archives, Hay\’s Dock, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0WP.
Lochgilpead – December 4, 2.30pm-7.00pm, Lochgilpead Community Education Centre, Manse Brae, Lochgilpead, PA31 8XQ.
Mull-Craignure – December 5, 2.30pm-7.30pm, Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6BB.
Fort William – December 6, 2.30pm-7.30pm, The Nevis Centre (Studio Room), An Aird, Fort William, PH33 6AN.
Picture: SEPA chief executive Terry A\’Hearn