Key Concerns
During every transfer of oil there will be at least 2 tankers and a number of support vessels. Each transfer of oil will take 24 hours to complete. This means there will be the noise from pumps and engines, the VOCs that are emitted and the diesel fumes. This is really an unpleasant process. Coastal communities will be hugely impacted during the summer months.
Having carried out an Ecosystem Service Value analysis we estimate that £462 million is taken into the economy of the Cromarty and Moray Firth. This income is generated by tourism, business and other activities that rely on the ecosystem. If this ecosystem is damaged in any way the economy will suffer. The Cromarty Firth Port Authority have not considered this possibility in their application.
What happens if there is a large oil spill? Who is going to pay for the clean up of our coastline and who is going to ensure businesses don't lose out? The Highland Council have a responsibility to clean up shorelines. Have they got the funds to do this? Claims against foreign companies can take years - what happens to businesses in the interim period?
Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, Category 1 Responders (local authorities, the emergency services and NHS bodies) are required to put in place emergency plans and to take co-ordinated action in response to emergencies.
When the Port Authority resubmit their application the general public will not get the opportunity to have their say. The only influence we will have will be through our elected representatives on the Highland Council. Are your HC reps aware of your views? Have they the background knowledge of the application? Are they aware of your concerns. Contact them and make your feelings known.
The Cromarty and Moray Firths are protected. There are a number of different levels of protection covering the entire area. An oil-spill, even a small one, would take very little time to hit the shore. Once it does entire bird colonies could be wiped out, marine mammals will be impacted. It doesn't bear thinking about.
Obviously an oil-spill will have a serious impact on the resident population of bottlenose dolphins but there's more to it than that. The process itself is being carried out exactly where the dolphins are in high numbers and breed and feed. The constant noise and number of vessels may disturb them, it may drive them away from an area where they normally feed. There may be long term health issues caused by the day-to-day pollution caused by the process. The Port of Cromarty Firth have not assessed the risk to the dolphins.
