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Celebration of Scotland's Seas
20/01/2008
A new Marine Prize to recognise innovations that contribute to a sustainable future for Scottish fisheries will be announced this week.
The prize will be a central part of a year-long 'Celebration of Scotland's Seas'.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead has made clear he wants more to be done to recognise Scotland's unique coastal and marine environment and the lead Scotland is taking on sustainable fishing.
He will kick off the Celebration of Scotland's Seas this week with a visit to Lamlash Bay on Arran to discuss marine management proposals for the bay with local people before chairing later in the week, the first meetings of two key groups.
One of these, the Scottish Fisheries Council will bring together representatives of the fishing industry, conservation groups and the scientific community to ensure a sustainable future for fishing in Scotland.
One of its key roles will be to help implement the new Conservation Credits scheme agreed at the December Fisheries Council in Brussels. At its meeting on Tuesday it will develop firm plans for the new marine prize.
The other group, the Sustainable Seas Task Force (meeting on Wednesday), will develop proposals for the landmark Scottish Marine Bill
Mr Lochhead said:
"The Scottish Government is keen for 2008 to be a Celebration of Scotland's Seas. Scotland has a unique coastal and marine environment which 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.
"Throughout the year there will be a raft of visits and announcements connected to our coastline and waters. Among these will be the inaugural Marine Prize which will reward innovation in areas such as conserving fish stocks, protecting the marine environment or enhancing a fishing community.
"Scotland is responsible for 127 000 square miles of sea, the biggest share of European waters. We are leading the way in Europe when it comes to sustainable fishing. Only last week we had our first-ever voluntary, real-time closure to protect spawning cod. We should be proud of the leadership we are showing and do more to celebrate it."
The first voluntary real time closure happened on January 13, 2008.