Groups air concerns before ballast water policy decision

A presentation will be made to elected members ahead of tomorrow’s general meeting of the full council.

The presentation, led by Fiona Matheson of the Orkney Fisheries Association, will air concerns on proposed changes to the ballast water regulations for Scapa Flow, which will be discussed by the full council afterwards.

It is feared that allowing vessels to discharge ballast water in Scapa Flow could lead to the introduction of foreign, and potentially harmful species to Orkney waters, including into the environmentally sensitive Stenness Loch.

Local company Orcadian Wildlife will also be represented and, in response to a request, a written submission from RSPB Scotland on the Council’s proposed new ballast water policy has been circulated in advance to councillors.

The presentation will be made at 10am in the council chamber. The full council meeting itself starts at 10.30am. Both are open to the public.