 Coast want to protect fish and shellfish around Lamlash |
Islanders on Arran have accused the Scottish Executive of "ignorance and intransigence" over a fishing issue. The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (Coast), which represents about 1,500 people, has criticised the environment and rural affairs department.
Coast has campaigned for a small 'No Take Zone' to protect and regenerate fish and shellfish in Lamlash Bay.
It said it has waited a year for a response but the executive promised it would be setting out the "way forward".
Coast representatives met Environment Minister Ross Finnie in May 2005 and said they have been waiting for a decision ever since.
Don MacNeish, from Coast, said: "It seems executive officials just won't engage with us.
'Enormous disrespect'
"They don't reply to our correspondence or messages.
"Officials are behaving disgracefully by ignoring our island community.
"They are being ignorant and intransigent and are treating the islanders with enormous disrespect."
Coast, which represents 20% of Arran's population, said it has the support of First Minister Jack McConnell and local MSPs.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive said: "We are writing to Coast to set out the way forward and will make an announcement once we have informed Coast directly."
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