Conflict of interests
Let existing staff continue to manage assets, says mussel man
I know of no other body that would have provided support” this
The Crown Estate is held in high regard in the aquaculture industry, as shown by this submission to the committee considering further devolution. It was written in February this year by Walter Speirs, director of Muckairn Mussels and former director of the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment on the Draft Clauses relating to the future of the Crown Estate in Scotland.
I have been a tenant of the Crown Estate for thirty years, with several mussel farming sites on the West Coast of Scotland. I have always found them to be good landlords, and very supportive of the shellfish sector.Whilst I was Chair of the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers (ASSG) I was part of the Crown Estate Scottish Liaison Group.
I understand the political desire to have control of the Scottish assets of the Crown Estate managed in and by Scotland. My concern would be that some of the good work done by the present management may be lost.
During my term with ASSG the Crown Estate agreed to reduce rents for some shellfish farms in order to give the industry some time to develop. In the recent review they have agreed to leave rents as they are for another five years.
They also contribute financially to the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum, funding much needed research. In addition they are the main sponsor of the ASSG annual conference, which would really be under threat should this funding disappear.
They have been very supportive of the emerging seaweed cultivation and harvesting sector, funding workshops and research. I know of no other body that would have provided this support.
The Coastal Communities Fund has provid-
ed money for many projects in Scotland, and would be sorely missed should it no longer be available. Partnership working with local communities has helped to finance improvements to harbour and marina facilities for visitors and locals alike.
Should the existing powers of the Crown Estate be handed over to Local Authorities there would be a conflict of interests.The Local Authority would benefit financially by granting planning permission to aquaculture or other developments.The Crown Estate was in a similar position until they agreed to hand over planning consenting powers to Local Authorities. It took ten years for this handover to be completed, during which time the aquaculture industry stagnated.
My suggestion would be that in future the Scottish assets of the Crown Estate should be managed by the existing staff, on a similar basis as is currently in operation, the only difference being that revenue would flow to Scottish government rather than Westminster.A Scottish Board of Directors could oversee the function and processes.An agreed percentage of revenue could be committed to research and community projects, helping to develop much needed infrastructure around the Scottish coastline.