Also in the news / Also in the news: fishing survey, more freight concerns, changes to burial rules and more…
FISHING businesses owners in Shetland have been invited to take part in an annual survey of the UK fishing fleet.
It is being carried out by Seafish, the public body that supports the seafood industry.
The survey looks at the economic performance of the fleet and at the demographics of the people who work in fishing businesses.
The data gathered is used to better understand the social impact the industry has on coastal communities.
The fleet survey research team will visit Orkney and Shetland in October.
THE FREIGHT capacity on the NorthLink ferries to Shetland was raised with first minister Nicola Sturgeon last week.
Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart asked what government agency Transport Scotland was going to do to alleviate pinch points on the service.
Sturgeon said while two new freight vessels are planned for the years ahead, work is ongoing to look at an interim solution.
Wishart said she has been invited to meet the Scottish transport minister off the back of her question.
FURTHER planning permission has been sought for the Park Lane community garden in Lerwick.
The existing temporary permission expires in March 2022.
The fresh application is to renew consent for another five years.
Living Lerwick said it supported the application and described the garden as a “great asset in the town centre and a well-kept, pleasant space in which to spend time”.
THE COUNCIL has updated its rules on burial ground management.
This includes information around issues such as floral arrangements and planting, appropriate memorials, and new rules to cover those kirkyards where church buildings are sold, to make sure bereaved families are supported when visiting.
The new rules can be found online.
People can contact burial services on 01595 744853 or 744898, or email burials@shetland.gov.uk if they require a paper copy posted out.
THE SCOTTISH Liberal Democrats have set proposals to establish a new Highlands and Islands ‘Just Transition Commission’ for the move away from oil and gas.
The proposals build on calls for a taskforce to help ensure the islands are not “forgotten” from Shetland’s MSP Beatrice Wishart, after the Scottish Government announced a new £500 million Just Transition Fund, limited to the North East and Moray.
The party’s leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Everywhere and everyone needs to adapt if Scotland is to have a sustainable future. No community should be left behind.
“The Highlands and Islands helped Scotland reach new heights of prosperity by adapting to make the most of the North Sea oil and gas. Now, people in these places are looking to the future and the potential a climate friendly future could hold.”
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