Ten years ago, Marine Connection supported a campaign opposing ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Moray Firth – operations that would have taken place near the South and North Sutors, one of the most important feeding grounds for the resident population of bottlenose dolphins. Harbour porpoises, minke whales, and a wide variety of marine and bird life also depend on these rich waters.
After several years of sustained opposition from Marine Connection and others, the Port of Cromarty Firth ultimately withdrew its application. Now, a new and potentially devastating threat has emerged: the controversial Moray FLOW-Park project. This proposal aims to establish a temporary wet storage facility for offshore wind turbine foundations on the seabed north of Findhorn and Burghead. Although Nairn was initially included, it has since been removed from the plans.
If approved, the project could involve the installation of up to 282 mooring lines across the seabed. These heavy-duty cables, chains, and synthetic ropes – used to anchor floating structures – pose a serious entanglement risk to dolphins and other marine species, putting this fragile ecosystem in jeopardy.
Last month, the Moray Firth “No to the Flow Park” Steering Group called for a full environmental impact assessment to properly evaluate these risks.
The project has already faced significant local opposition, and rightly so. We stand firmly with those working to protect this unique and irreplaceable marine environment.
