What is the Scottish Marine Act?
The Marine (Scotland) Act received Royal Assent March 10, 2010. The Act introduces a framework for the sustainable management of the seas around Scotland, ensuring the need to protect our seas is integrated with economic growth of marine industries. More information on what the bill means for Scotland's marine area is available in the Marine Act websection.
What are you doing to protect the Marine Environment?
The Marine (Scotland) Act and the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act both contain new powers to designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as well as a duty to create an ecologically coherent network of MPAs. The MPA network is a key element of the newly adopted three pillar approach to marine nature conservation (site protection, species protection and wider seas policies and measures).
A Ministerial statement on the creation of a MPA network was laid before the Scottish Parliament on March 12, 2010 by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment. A draft Marine Nature Conservation Strategy and MPA Guidelines have been produced.
The Scottish Government takes its national and international environmental responsibilities for marine habitats, seabirds and other marine wildlife in the seas around Scotland (inshore and offshore waters) very seriously. This includes co-operation with other countries in the EU on environmental action under the Birds and Habitats Directives and our contribution to the establishment of the Natura network. The Natura network is made up of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for wild birds designated under the Birds Directive and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the other species and habitats of European importance. Scotland currently has 49 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified which have one or more species of seabird as qualifying interests, and 39 marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Work is currently underway to develop the MPA network, which along with the other sites includes the MPAs to be designated under The Marine (Scotland) Act and the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act . The MPA network will also contribute to our national and international priorities for marine biodiversity. More information can be found in the protected areas section.