WHY IS MARINE SCOTLAND BEING ESTABLISHED?
6. Change is needed in the management of Scotland's marine environment for a number of compelling reasons:
- to manage growing, often competing demands for use of marine resources;
- to meet existing and new marine obligations and aspirations;
- to improve integration and reduce the complexity of marine management and regulation in line with wider Scottish Government and EU policy aims;
- to strengthen coastal communities and give them a stronger voice in marine matters;
- to ensure a strong and coherent Scottish voice in the UK, EU and internationally;
- to lead the way in Scotland in how the seas in north west Europe can be managed to deliver prosperity and sustainable economic growth.
7. In January 2008, the First Minister announced a commitment to bringing together marine management functions from across public organisations into a single body. As a minimum this would involve the integration of Fisheries Research Services ( FRS), Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency ( SFPA) and core elements of Scottish Government Marine Directorate.
8. The Sustainable Seas Task Force was established to consider marine issues in more detail and assisted and advised on development of the consultation document, "Sustainable Seas for All", published by the Scottish Government in July 2008. This covered a wide range of marine issues and also set out a proposition for establishing Marine Scotland.
9. Consultation closed on 6 October 2008 and an analysis of responses was published on 22 January 2009. There was strong support for the establishment of Marine Scotland and a wide and open debate on its functions and status.
10. Ministers announced on 9 February 2009 the establishment of Marine Scotland as of 1 April 2009. This signals the Scottish Government's commitment to a ground-breaking approach to integrated marine management, by combining delivery, policy and evidence functions.