Scottish Government

CHAPTER 7 NATIONAL MARINE PLAN - KEY OBJECTIVES

Scottish Government Objectives

7.1 The Scottish Government's key purpose is to focus on creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth. The Scottish Government's view is that there should be a presumption of use for the marine area. This purpose is set around five strategic objectives and a set of purpose targets ⁸. Those most relevant to marine planning are:

7.2 Our strategic objectives

• WEALTHIER & FAIRER - Enable businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth.
• GREENER - Improve Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it.

7.3 Purpose targets

• Economic Growth: To raise the GDP growth rate to the UK level by 2011 and to match the GDP growth rate of the small independent EU countries by 2017
• Sustainability: To reduce emissions over the period to 2011 and to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

7.4 National Objectives

In addition to the Scottish Government objectives outlined above, our draft plan includes High Level Marine Objectives ( HLMO) agreed by the four administrations across the British Isles as well as Good Environmental Status ( GES) indicators under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Clean and Safe Seas

• The coast, seas, oceans and their resources are safe to use. ( HLMO 7)
• Human-induced eutrophication is minimised, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystems degradation, harmful algal blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters. ( GES 5)
• Concentrations of contaminants are at a levels not giving rise to pollution effects. ( GES 8)
• Contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption do not exceed levels established by Community legislation or other relevant standards. ( GES 9)
• Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment. ( GES 10)
• Introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not clause harm to the coastal and marine environmental. ( GES 11)

Healthy and Biologically Diverse Seas

• Biodiversity is protected, conserved and recovered where appropriate. ( HLMO 11)
• Healthy marine habitats occur across their natural range and are able to support strong, bio diverse biological communities and the functioning of healthy resilient and adaptable marine ecosystems. ( HLMO 12)
• Our Oceans support viable populations of rare, vulnerable and valued species. ( HLMO 13)
• The loss of biodiversity has been halted. ( HLMO 14)
• Biological diversity is maintained and recovered where appropriate. The quality and occurrence of habitats and the distribution and abundance of species, including those which have been identified as rare, vulnerable and valued, are in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions. (Amended from GES 1)
• Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystems. ( GES 2)
• All elements of the marine food webs, to the extent that they are known, occur at normal abundance and diversity and levels capable of ensuring the long-term abundance of the species and the retention of their full reproductive capacity. ( GES 4)
• Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect marine ecosystems. ( GES 7)
• Sea-floor integrity is at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of the ecosystem are safeguarded and the benthic ecosystems, in particular, are not adversely affected. ( GES 6)

Productive Seas, contributing to the needs of people

• Marine businesses are acting in a way which respects environmental limits and is socially responsible. This is rewarded in the marketplace. ( HLMO 4)
• People appreciate the value of the marine environment, its natural and cultural heritage and its resources and act responsibly. ( HLMO 5)
• The marine environment plays an important role in mitigating climate change. ( HLMO 8)
• Infrastructure is in place to support and promote safe, profitable and efficient marine businesses. ( HLMO 1)
• Long-term wealth is generated by the responsible use of the marine environment and its resources. ( HLMO 2)
• The use of the marine environment is benefiting society as a whole, contributing to resilient and cohesive communities. ( HLMO 6)
• There is equitable access for those who want to use and enjoy the coast, seas and their wider range of resources and assets and recognition that for some island and peripheral communities the seas play a significant role in their community. ( HLMO 9)
• Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population ages and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock. ( GES 3)

Better Governance of the Sea

• All those who have a stake in the marine environmental have an input into associated decision-making. ( HLMO 15)
• Marine and coastal management mechanisms are responsive and work effectively together, for example through integrated coastal zone management. ( HLMO 16)
• Marine management in the UK takes account of different management systems that are in place because of administrative, political or international boundaries. ( HLMO 17)
• Marine businesses are subject to clear, timely, proportionate and plan-led regulation. ( HLMO 18)
• The precautionary principle is applied consistently in accordance with the UK Government and Devolved Administrations' sustainable development policy. ( HLMO 22)
• The use of the marine environment is spatially planned and based on an ecosystem approach which takes account of climate change and recognizes the protection needs of individual historic assets. ( HLMO 19)
• Our understanding of the marine environment continues to develop through new scientific research and date collection. ( HLMO 20)
• Sound evidence and monitoring is made accessible and available and underpins effective marine management and policy development. (Amended from HLMO 21)
• Marine businesses are taking long-term strategic decisions and managing risks effectively. They are competitive and operating efficiently. ( HLMO 3)
• Use of the marine environment will recognise, and integrate with, defence priorities, including the strengthening of international peace and stability and the defence of the United Kingdom and its interests. ( HLMO 10)

7.5 The National Marine Plan has been developed to clarify overall objectives which provide the basis for managing Scotland's marine environment.