The number of signatures on an online petition against ship-to-ship oil transfers in Highland waters has more than quadrupled in a week.
By yesterday evening more than 88,000 had put their name to the petition against the Port of Cromarty Firth’s plans.
A week ago the tally sat at just over 20,000 with the petition having been launched around eight months ago.
Campaigners are now hopeful that the figure could soon pass 100,000.
The port said it supports people’s right to protest – but said it will continue to follow “due process” with its application.
The petition, hosted on the campaigning website 38 Degrees, is addressed to Chris Grayling, the UK Government’s transport secretary.
It calls on him to block the port authority’s plan to transfer up to nine million tonnes of crude oil a year between tankers lying at anchor in open water at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth.
It cites the environmental impact on the area’s wildlife including bottlenose dolphins, porpoise and seals as a reason for objecting to the scheme.
The reason for the rapid rise in signatures has been put down to the petition being opened up to addresses across the UK, where before it was limited to Scotland.
In a statement on their website campaign group Cromarty Rising said: “The people surrounding the port do not want this, the people of Scotland don’t want this and it turns out that there are lot of people throughout the UK that don’t want this either.”
The port is currently revising its licence application to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) following a public consultation on its initial submission.
A spokesman for the Port of Cromarty Firth said: “We believe that people have the right to protest, and it is only fair that our stakeholders are confident we look after their environment.
“The port has modified its application in response to the concerns raised over the past twelve months, we fully appreciate that the environment in which we operate is extremely special, and we are legally bound to protect it.
“The port is making an application for a licence within the law.
“There is a due process to follow and the relevant authorities will ultimately decide whether the ship to ship oil transfer application submitted by the Port receives approval.
“We know we can satisfy them that we can undertake these operations safely.”
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