After declines over the last two decades, seabird numbers show encouraging signs, according to new statistics by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Revised National Contingency Plan
Earlier this year SOTEAG participated in the stakeholder consultation of the draft National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations. Specifically, we commented on the Wildlife Response section A 3.5.1 with regards to overall impact assessment on wildlife and the role of SOTEAG’s Wildlife Response Co-ordinating Committee (WRCC) in Shetland. These suggestions were … Read more
Independent Expert Group from Germany visits SOTEAG
Last month SOTEAG hosted a delegation from the Independent Expert Group (IEG) to Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies. The purpose of their visit was to gain a better understanding of SOTEAG’s responsibilities and operational structure. Like SOTEAG, the IEG plays a crucial role in providing independent expert advice in emergency oil-spill response and we hope that this new relationship will facilitate knowledge exchange and be of mutual benefit to both organisations.
National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have just launched the new consultation for the second revision of the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations. There will be a meeting in the Shetland Islands Council Chamber on Tuesday 25th March 2014 from 1000 – 1200 hours for those interested in commenting on … Read more
Shetland Islands Marine Spatial Plan (Fourth Edition)
The fourth edition of the Shetland Islands’ Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) is open for consultation; commencing on 17th January 2014 and will run for 12 weeks ending on 11th April.
Shetland News: SSPCA Inspector Ron to retire early
Shetland’s senior inspector with animal welfare charity Scottish SPCA is to leave his post this summer after 23 years. Ron Patterson made his decision after the charity ordered the closure of the wildlife rescue unit in Gott without advance warning. To read the full article visit Shetland News.
SOTEAG surveys show a further decline in Shetland’s Eider population
Eider ducks are common birds in northern Britain, but genetic studies suggest those in Shetland are closer to the Faroese race than those breeding in mainland Scotland, which makes them of special conservation concern.
Shetland Times: Fears over possible SSPCA centre closure
Shetland seems likely to lose its SSPCA wildlife unit at Tingwall following a review being carried out by the animal welfare charity. The charity said the Shetland unit, which was set up in 2003, is “under review”, as it is investing in a large national centre in Clackmannanshire. But it insists wildlife in Shetland will … Read more
SOTEAG web move
As you can see we are in the process of moving the SOTEAG site to a new location. It is a little ‘Work In Progress’ here just now, but we hope to have everything sorted out very soon.