Marine Related Consultations

Scottish Marine Regions Order 2013
The approval of the Marine (Scotland) Act in 2010 introduced a new era for the management of Scotland's seas. One of the key elements of the Act is the marine planning provisions, which will allow better management of the competing demands on marine resources more effectively.  The National Marine Plan, due out for consultation in summer 2013, will set out the strategic objectives for the Scottish marine area including important marine activities such as renewable energy, aquaculture, conservation, recreation and tourism, ports, harbours and shipping, etc.  In order to take forward the objectives that the National Plan, smaller Scottish Marine Regions (SMRs) need be created to allow planning to take place at a local level.

Establishing Marine Regions - As the first step, in late 2010/early 2011 Marine Scotland launched the Scottish Marine Regions, Defining their boundaries consultation. The aim of this consultation was to find out whether people thought that establishing marine regions was the right thing to do and to help identify and name appropriate regions.  The analysis of responses and a final report from this consultation are available online.

Next Steps - The next step in the process is the consultation, the Scottish Marine Regions Order 2013. This consultation was launched on 6 December 2012 and seeks views on the legislation for setting these SMR boundaries.  The closing date is 28 February 2013.

Aquaculture and Fisheries Consultation
This consultation is underway to support a sustainable future for aquaculture and freshwater fisheries, and the effective management of interactions between these two sectors.  The consultation also includes proposals to update enforcement provisions for aquaculture and fisheries, and a review of the approach to cost sharing and charges. The consultation will inform the development of a new Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, which will build on existing legislation, strategic frameworks and good practice.  Follow the above link for full details.

Delivering Scotland's River Basin Management Plans: An Integrated Approach to the Protection of Shellfish Growing Waters - A Consultation
This consultation sets out a range of proposals for the continued protection of water quality from the effects of pollution in designated shellfish waters around Scotland. Taking these steps to support the shellfish industry will safeguard jobs in local communities as well as protecting human health and the environment. One of the proposals included is the de-designation of Cromarty Bay in the Moray Firth as a designated shellfish water. Responses should be received by 27 December 2011. Follow the above link for full details. 

Fifth Quinquennial Review of Schedules 5 & 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 
This public consultation seeks views on the regular review of Schedules 5 & 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is relevant to Scotland only.  It is specifically seeking reviews on the recommendations to 1) add or remove certain species from Schedules 5 & 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and 2) to increase protection afforded to certain species already listed on those Schedules.  The deadline for responses to be received is 11 January 2012.  Follow the link above to see the Consultation Document.

Amendments to the Marine Licensing Exemptions Orders
This consultation relates to proposed changes to the marine licensing regime in respect of: sediment sampling; subsea use of marine chemical and oil treatment substances; retrieval of items accidentally deposited on the sea bed.  This consultation will run for 6 weeks from 22 September 2011 and is available at the web link above.

Marine Scotland consulted stakeholders on its draft marine nature conservation strategy in March 2010 and has been revising the strategy to take account of the very helpful comments received.  The final version of the strategy, which outlines Marine Scotland's aims and objectives for protecting and enhancing Scotland's marine biodiversity, was recently approved by Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment.  Click here to view and download 'A Strategy  for Marine Nature Conservation in Scotland's Seas'.