Lobster hatchery plan sunk

PLANS for Scotland's first mainland lobster hatchery are now in doubt after trustees of the Scottish Seabird Centre voted against them.

The award-winning visitor attraction in North Berwick unveiled plans for the 1.7 million extension last year, and had won the support of East Lothian Council and the local fishing industry, who said it would boost tourism and the economy.

However, the centre's trustees have opposed the plans, as they are concerned that the additional financial risk could threaten the survival of the centre. It would require a major fundraising campaign to go ahead.

The decision has been called a "huge missed opportunity for the town" by the group behind the project, but they say that they will "not give up without a fight", and hope to still find a way to make it a reality.

The hatchery would release up to 40,000 junior lobsters a year, boosting fishing and the local environment. It would also include a visitor and education centre, attracting an estimated 30,000 tourists a year. A feasibility study last year found it would bring "significant benefits to the town" , contributing 500,000 a year and creating 11 jobs.

Tom Brock, manager of the Seabird Centre, said: "It's very disappointing, but the trustees are obviously concerned about putting the whole centre at risk. It was a very difficult decision."

He said they were planning more discussions, and the project had not yet been ruled out.

The Seabird Centre has been hailed as a major success story, winning 25 awards and attracting around 300,000 visitors each year, but it is run as a charity, and the board was concerned about the financial risks of operating the hatchery.

Jane McMinn, chairwoman of the project's Implementation Group, said the main concern was the cost of running and staffing the hatchery. However, she hoped to find a way of reassuring the trustees and securing the funding.

She said: "We understand the concerns of the trustees of the Seabird Centre, but we are keen to work with them to determine if their concerns can be addressed.

"This is a very strong community partnership. We are keen to achieve the considerable benefits for tourism, local jobs and sustaining fishing stocks of lobster in the Firth of Forth."

She said local fishermen, commercial boat owners, North Berwick Community Council and the East Lothian Yacht Club were among those who are supporting the plans.