Leading environmental charity, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is opposing plans for ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Moray Firth. The proposed transfers of huge quantities of crude oil will take place in the heart of one of Scotland’s most sensitive marine regions, home to many important marine species and habitats.
The Cromarty Firth Port Authority has applied for a licence to perform ship-to-ship transfers of crude oil in the Moray Firth. The Scottish Wildlife Trust considers the transfer of up to 8.5 million tonnes of oil per year unacceptable because of the increased risk of oil spills. If a spill occurred, it would cause severe and long term environmental damage to internationally protected sites and species.
The Moray Firth is an important biodiversity hotspot for marine wildlife, known for resident populations of bottlenose dolphins; birds such as osprey, common terns, and redshank; Atlantic salmon and grey seals, all of which the proposed application would place at risk.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Marine Planning Officer, Dr Samuel Collin, said “Increasing crude oil activity in an area such as the Moray Firth, where the marine life is so diverse and exceptional, puts at risk not only marine wildlife but also local businesses and people that depend on and enjoy the marine environment.
“The Moray Firth boasts a range of internationally important marine life and we need to honour these recognitions by preserving and protecting the very features that make this area so special. Bottlenose dolphins, which would be at risk if the application is approved, are a much loved species in Scotland and the resident population in the Moray Firth attracts thousands of tourists to this area each year, contributing at least £4 million to the local economy.
“The risks posed by ship-to-ship oil transfers are too great to be acceptable and this application represents a step in the wrong direction for marine conservation.”
To read the full response to the Cromarty Forth Port Authority regarding their oil transfer licence application, click here.