Seòmar agus comataidhean

At last week’s meeting, we heard that there is an historical identification with that connectivity: people come from the islands and connect to Oban. They like that. It is interesting that that did not come up when you sought views on the matter.

If the Parliament were to reject one or more of the regulations, what would Boundaries Scotland do next?

That is the end of our questions. We very much appreciate you coming along, sharing the work that you have been doing and getting us excited about methodology. Thank you so much for being with us.

We will take the next two items in private.

I thank the witnesses for coming today. It is good to hear about the challenges that you face, and I am interested in hearing about your approach to the climate and ecological crisis.

As we know, Scotland’s seas play a key role in the climate by storing carbon, but they are susceptible to a number of threats through our activity. That activity includes bottom-contact and mid-water fishing, which is the most geographically widespread and direct pressure on our marine environment. Commercial fishing also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, although I heard in introductions from some of the witnesses that that is perhaps less the case.

We are considering the impacts of ocean acidification, sea level rise and the changing ecology, about which we heard from Elspeth Macdonald when she spoke about the fish moving further north. I want to say from the outset that I am looking for a long-term future for fishing. How do we move from what we are doing right now—overfishing—to a more sustainable practice? I would love to hear the witnesses’ views on what a just transition would mean for the fishing industry and coastal communities.

I am curious to hear the witnesses’ thoughts on other stakeholders, such as community groups and tourism businesses—people whose livelihoods depend on marine biodiversity—joining the regional inshore fisheries group meetings. Charles Millar touched on the groups’ limited membership earlier. I am curious to hear about opening that up.

On the environmental impact of salmon farming, I am also curious to hear the witnesses’ views on further regulation of that sector of aquaculture.

Paul McLennan will explore that theme a bit more.

It is great to hear your perspectives. We move to questions from Miles Briggs, who wants to explore a range of themes, and we will then come to a close.

Thanks for that, Douglas. We missed a bit of the preamble to your statement that the proposals should be rejected, but that conclusion is very clear. Elena, is that okay?

We will move on to questions about process.

Thank you. We have a range of questions, and we will see what comes up. I have a particular question that I will come back to if the subject does not come up in other questions.

Margaret, will you give us a sense of why Highland Council is asking us to reject the proposals?

Item 2 is an opportunity for the committee to take evidence to inform its consideration of regulations giving effect to the recommendations of Boundaries Scotland in relation to six local authority areas. I acknowledge the good work of Boundaries Scotland. Today’s session is the first of three in which we will review that work and take evidence.

The committee will hear this morning from five of those authorities: Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council, Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. We have received written evidence from North Ayrshire Council, which can be found on the committee’s website.

I welcome Karen Greaves, who is head of executive support at Orkney Islands Council—hello, Karen. I also welcome Maggie Sandison, who is chief executive of Shetland Islands Council. Hello, Maggie—welcome to the committee.

Our members will ask a series of questions. If, through our questioning, you feel as though not all of the information that you think we need to hear has come out, I will give you time to speak at the end.

I want to set out the framework behind the meeting. We are in this situation because of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, which came about due to concerns that the distinct interests of island communities were not fully represented in council decisions and discussions. As a result, the Boundaries Scotland review has come about. From our briefing, it is clear that it has had a different effect on each island grouping and each council with islands, so we look forward to hearing what its impact has been for Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council.

I will ask the first question. I am interested to understand whether you are satisfied with the recommendations as set out in the Boundaries Scotland reports on your council areas. Let us start with Karen, then continue with Maggie.