Concern for birds and dolphins in proposed ship to ship oil transfers in the Moray Firth outside the Sutors

Here's something that one of our regular readers has just alerted us too and it is worth paying serious attention to. David tells us:

" I don't know if you are aware of this but the Cromarty Firth Port Authority has applied for a licence for ship to ship oil transfer in the Moray Firth outside the Sutors. Personally, I am very concerned about the effects of any spillage on the birds and other wildlife of the Firth and I believe that it may be of interest of some Gurnites."

"CAMPAIGNERS fear important environmental sites and popular dolphin communities could be destroyed if plans to transfer nearly nine million tonnes of crude oil a year between tankers at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth are given the go-ahead.

Opponents of the scheme are concerned about the impact of any spillage, not least on the Moray Firth dolphins who regularly visit the waterway."

Lots more on a Herald webpage today including:

"The authority’s environment assessment does not rate the risk posed to the environment as serious, but others disagree.

Dr Greg Fullarton, an environmental consultant who lives on the shores of the firth, said it could be disastrous."

The Herald article can be read here.   And you can comment online via the e-mail addresses on the proposals page here.