Marine Bill introduced

Scotland’s first Marine Bill has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the bill is set to deliver more opportunities to boost the economy while improving conservation measures.

It follows calls from environmental groups, the marine industry and coastal communities for more effective, joined up management of Scotland’s unique seas. Key measures include:

• A new marine planning framework so that increasing use of the seas for energy, fishing, aquaculture, recreation and other purposes is well managed
• The new planning system will create a more stable environment for investment
• New Marine Planning Partnerships will involve local agencies, communities and stakeholders to ensure a strong local voice
• A simpler licensing system will reduce the administrative burden and cut bureaucracy reducing business costs in key growth areas such as renewable energy
• Improved marine nature and historic conservation to safeguard and protect Scotland’s unique habitats, wildlife and marine archaeology and wrecks
• Full regulation of seal management giving much improved protection for seals and a new comprehensive licence system

Speaking at Edinburgh’s Newhaven Harbour today, Mr Lochhead said:

"Today marks an exciting milestone. Our seas support tens of thousands of jobs, generate billions of pounds for our economy, put food on our tables and are set to play an increasing role in powering our nation through wind and wave power.

"We are introducing the framework to help deliver a new future for Scotland’s seas. Our Marine Bill aims to maximise economic growth while ensuring future generations can still enjoy this world class environment.

"We have listened and are now responding to demand for change by delivering a Bill that will make the most of Scotland’s unique coastal and marine environment without spoiling one of our most prized treasures. It will create a simpler regulatory system for the marine environment and allow greater local participation in marine and coastal matters.

"Scotland holds a quarter of Europe’s total tidal and offshore wind resource and 10 per cent of its potential in wave power. Our seas generate more than £2.2 billion for the Scottish economy. We have huge potential to increase economic growth from our seas but need to do so in a sustainable way. We need to remember that Scotland is also a leading marine tourism destination and any changes should not be at the environment’s expense.

"Striking the right balance between the long-term viability and growth of our marine industries and the enhanced protection of our special marine environment is at the very heart of our Bill.

"We are repealing the existing seals’ legislation – which is 40 years old – and introducing a ban on the shooting of seals except within a well-managed licence system.

"The Bill also maps out the way forward on Scottish Marine Regions, providing a way for local interests to have a say over their local seas. The consultation showed strong support for this proposal, but we must ensure that we are not creating an additional layer of bureaucracy. "

The bill (in PDF) may be downloaded from here.

Welcoming the launch of the Marine (Scotland) Bill today, John Scott MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said,

“I welcome the launch of this much needed piece of legislation and look forward to working constructively on its development.  Much is both needed and expected of this piece of legislation which will have to address and balance, for example, commercial fishing, oil extraction, commercial shipping interests with recreational fishing and sailing, marine environmental enhancement as well as address declining sea bird stocks.

Marine spatial planning will need to be developed and the new Government Agency Marine Scotland will have a major role to play.

This Bill presents an exciting opportunity to tidy up legislation and reconcile the many competing demands made of our valuable seas and I look forward to working on it.”

Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said: ‘At last the government has published its long overdue proposals for a Marine Bill

‘Welcome though this Bill undoubtedly is, the delay in getting to this stage is hard to justify given the progress made by the previous Liberal Democrat environment minister Ross Finnie in developing much of what the cabinet secretary has announced today.

‘Of course, there is little dissent about the broad principles of the Marine Bill. It will help ensure effective management of our vital marine resources and the competing interests that rely on them.

‘However, the devil was always likely to be in the detail. Ministers refused to publish their response to the views received during the consultation period. They can duck the detail no longer.

‘Liberal Democrats look forward to scrutinising these proposals as the Bill progresses through parliament.’

Category: Scottish Government News