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Sustainable seas task force
03/01/2008
A new task force has been set up to consider proposals for legislation to protect Scotland's marine and coastal environment.
The body will reflect a broad spectrum of opinion and will represent the main users of Scotland's seas.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said the aim of the new marine legislation is to ensure the sustainable management of Scotland's seas and coasts. It will also balance the competing interests for use and protection of the seas.
Mr Lochhead said:
"Scotland has a unique coastal and marine environment. It provides an important natural resource upon which so many communities depend.
"In Scotland we have over 11,000 km of coastline and our waters generate millions of pounds for the economy. Wildlife enthusiasts from around the world flock to see the internationally significant species of birds, seals and dolphins that live in and around our waters.
"To protect this valuable natural resource, we must promote the sustainable use of our coasts and seas. There is a greater and growing awareness of the importance of sound management of our marine environment.
"There are currently far too many pieces of legislation regulating Scotland's waters and our new streamlined legislation will deliver better protection for the future.
"The aim, among other things, is to introduce a new system of planning for the sea, better nature conservation and improvements to licensing and regulation of the marine environment.
"I will also look to the Task Force to consider what additional powers need to be devolved to Scotland. I believe in the offshore zone - between 12 and 200 nautical miles from the shore - further devolution, especially for functions such as marine planning and nature conservation, is a much needed priority.
"I would like to thank the organisations which have agreed to be part of the Sustainable Seas Task Force."
Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) said:
"The Scottish fishing industry - the third most significant in Europe - is daily at the centre of innovative forward-looking work to ensure continued sustainable harvesting of the world class resource in our waters. We look forward to participating fully in the process of shaping the future."
Calum Duncan, Convenor of the Scottish Environment LINK marine Task Force said:
"We welcome the announcement of the establishment of this new group and the opportunity to input to it. Time is of the essence and we hope that recommendations coming from the Task Force can be swiftly taken forward through a Scottish Marine Bill.
"The outcome must be a system that protects, restores and enhances Scotland's world-class ecosystem, which is currently under increasing pressure from climate change and other human activity. Proper protection for Scotland's marine environment must form the core of the proposed legislation."
The first meeting of the Task Force will be on January 23, 2008 when the group will consider the work undertaken on marine legislation up to now and a work programme. The detailed work of the group will be undertaken at 5 workshops over the following months with a final group meeting in April. The Scottish Government will undertake a full consultation on a Marine Bill shortly thereafter.
The workshops will consider licensing and enforcement, conservation issues, marine management arrangements, planning and integrated coastal zone management, and data and science.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead will chair the Task Force. The Task Force's remit is to consider the actions the Scottish Government needs to deliver to ensure the sustainable management of Scotland's coast and seas with a view to developing a set of proposals for Scottish marine legislation.
Organisations who will participate in the task force:
Scottish Fishermen's Federation
Scottish Environment LINK Marine Task Force - WWF Scotland
Scottish Environment LINK Marine Task Force - RSPB Scotland
Chamber of Shipping
Oil and Gas UK
Scottish Coastal Forum
Firth of Clyde Forum
Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation
Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers
British Ports Association
UK Major Ports Group
Aberdeen Institute for Coastal Science Management
Sea Mammal Research Unit
Scottish Biodiversity Forum Marine Biodiversity Working Group
Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland
Scottish Renewables
Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network
Scottish Boating Alliance
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Fisheries Research Services
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
Historic Scotland
CoSLA
Scottish Government