WATCH: Nairn beach protest over Cromarty crude oil
Over 500-protestors stand up for Moray Firth communities
People as far away as Lossiemouth and Buckie are fighting Cromarty Port Authority's plans for tankers to swap crude oil while floating in the Firth.
Over the last 30-years 250-ship-to-ship oil transfers have taken place - according to port bosses "without incident" - but a law change is forcing the authority to apply for a licence to give it permission to carry on.
The application has sparked fury and fear throughout coastal communities along the Moray Firth, which is rich in marine wildlife and fuels the vibrant Highland tourism economy.
An internet petition is approaching 20,000 signatures in opposition to the plans, and on Sunday afternoon more than 500-protestors crowded Nairn Central Beach, in support of the Cromarty Rising campaign.
WATCH: Before the demonstration, 24-year-old Kat - who lives in Nairn - told MFR News why she was going to turn up and wave a banner...
The pressure group is currently crowdfunding online to afford legal advice, which could lead to paying for a judicial review.
Efforts to fundraise £30,000 are approaching the half-way mark after donations flooded in from almost 300-people.
Bob Buskie, Chief Executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth said: "We have already addressed environmental concerns about the risk of ballast water to the Firth.
"If the licence is granted, we will insist that all ships comply with the new convention and implement a ballast water management plan, where all water is treated before it is discharged.
"The refined application will be passed to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for reassessment.
"We estimate this will take place sometime in January 2017.
"It will also be passed for comment to the same statutory consultees as in the initial application; Marine Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, The Highland Council and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
"The MCA will then call a meeting between these statutory consultees, the Port and our consultants to discuss the consultees’ comments on the refined application, before making a decision."
BELOW: A community council poll suggests how people across the MFR area are feeling about the issue | Source: Cromarty Rising