Category: Scottish Government News
Ministerial Statement on the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (laid in The Scottish Parliament on 1 September 2010). The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”) created new powers for Scottish Ministers to designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scottish territorial waters in order to protect marine biodiversity and geodiversity and contribute to [...]
Marine Scotland (MS) has invited tenders for a charter to carry out experimental scallop dredging trials in areas of hard substrate Scottish coastal waters, off the west coast of Scotland. Why this has been commissioned is anyone’s guess as the issue has been the subject of many experiments and studies conducted all around the world.
Following meetings this morning at Peterhead quay side with North East fishing representatives, including skipper Jimmy Buchan and the Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Bertie Armstrong, Scottish Conservatives Fisheries spokesman, John Scott MSP, has slammed the SNP for remarks made by their President, Ian Hudghton MEP, seemingly praising Icelandic fisheries management. John Scott [...]
The Scottish Government will shortly be running consultation events to discuss the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Draft Plan for Offshore Wind in Scottish Territorial Waters. The SEA provides a framework for progressing the development of offshore wind energy out to 12 NM, and along with the draft plan presents the Government’s vision for offshore [...]
Scottish fishing industry leaders have called for calm heads in the wake of scientific advice recommending a 20% cut to North Sea cod quotas. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) have said the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) suggestion would "kill off businesses" as right now they are absolutely at the bone [...]
According to a Scottish Government report, ‘The Economic Impact of Wildlife Tourism in Scotland’, published yesterday, the annual spend on wildlife tourism in Scotland is £276 million delivering a net economic impact of £65 million to Scotland’s economy and creating 2,760 FTE jobs. The report also found that 1.12 million trips were made every year [...]
Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) recently spoke in the Scottish Parliament chamber to promote the upcoming World Oceans Day which raises awareness of the oceans of the world and encourages their sustainable development and protection. World Oceans day was formally established last year by UN to occur on June 8th of every year. The 2nd Annual [...]
As part of the consultation process the Scottish Government are inviting written responses to the consultation on the Draft Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters by 16 August 2010. A series of stakeholder consultation workshops will be taken forward by Marine Scotland in the coming weeks, to help explain the approach used [...]
SSACN’s Give Fish A Chance (GFAC) initiative reflects the fact that many anglers are keen to do what they can to ensure the minimal impact to the environment and to the fish themselves.
Fish sustainably, only take fish for the table which have had a chance to reproduce and have respect for those you do catch.
Weighing fish by measuring them helps minimize any potential harm to the fish. Just enter the measurement (in cms) of your fish and the calculator will do the rest!
Interactive graphs and downloadable charts presenting weight for length in cms/lbs may be found here
Marine Scotland has circulated the first Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Newsletter. The first draft of a Management Handbook has been made available for comment; a second draft is planned to be available shortly incorporating comments that have been received. SNH/JNCC have delivered scientific advice on nature conservation MPAs to ministers. This advice package, Advice to [...]
Marine renewables and offshore wind
Marine Scotland has commenced its review of the Plan for Offshore Wind Energy. It is also updating the 2007 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of wave and tidal energy. Finalised plans for all three technologies will be adopted in 2013. The Plans will be brought together and accompanied by an integrated ‘Sustainability Appraisal’. This will include [...]
Consultation on the draft Statutory Instrument ‘The Draft Scottish Marine Regions Order 2013’ ends on 28/02/13. The paper which was published for consultation on 6 December 2012 establishes the boundary co-ordinates for Scottish Marine Regions . The consultation is seeking views on the draft legislation; the co-ordinates establishing the marine regions boundaries; the names of [...]
University of Aberdeen – workshop invitation
Workshop invitation: The value of the marine environment to divers and sea anglers We would like to invite you to take part in at least one of the two workshops that we are running in Aberdeen. These will be held on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th February, at Aberdeen Arts Centre (33 King Street, Aberdeen [...]
DG Mare – Atlantic Strategy–Public call
DG Mare has now issued a public call for suggestions for research and investment priorities within the Atlantic area. The intention of the call is to generate a set of research and investment priorities to be brought under an Atlantic Strategy Action Plan, expected around April 2013. The Action Plan is to help guide strategic [...]
The UK Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, has announced the start of the public consultation on Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). The consultation document and annexes can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/open/. The public consultation will run until midnight on 31 March 2013, and will give everyone with an interest in the marine environment the opportunity to provide [...]
Sharkatag – 14/15/16 June
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