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Sound of Barra SAC 7 September 2010 The Scottish Government and Scottish National Heritage are proposing that sections of the Sound of Barra becomes a conservation area (SAC) due to its unique sandbanks and marine life that exist thereon or within. The area is also home to common seals. The reefs near Mingulay have been proposed because of the presence of coldwater coral, the only inshore area in the UK where the coral is known to exist. The proposals have aroused intense opposition, with fears from the fishing industry that restrictions imposed will severely limit their work and lock them out of existing fishing grounds. Rhoda Grant MSP for the Highlands and Islands lodged a Parliamentary Question with the Scottish Government, asking when it hoped to reach a decision on this matter. Roseanna Cunningham MSP The Cabinet Minister for Rural Affairs answering on behalf of the Government stated: "The proposed Sound of Barra Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is presently undergoing an Impact Assessment, to explore the possible socio-economic effects of designation, with the final report expected in August. I will then consider the next steps to be taken in the early autumn". Mrs Grant said " Obviously there are a myriad of issues to take into account with regard to this issue, but the Scottish Government now having sight of the Impact Assessment which was carried out, I would expect the Government to make an announcement very soon and I will be pushing for them to make this at an early date because this has been hanging over the community for a long period and it is important that they are in a position to plan for the future".
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