Plans for new legislation to protect Scotland''s marine and coastal environment took a further step forward today.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead announced the creation of a Sustainable Seas Task Force.
The Task Force will reflect a broad spectrum of opinion and will represent the main users of Scotland's seas. It will consider proposals for a new Scottish Marine Bill.
The aim of the new Scottish marine legislation is to ensure the sustainable management of our seas and coasts. It will also balance the competing interests for use and protection of our 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."
Scottish Fishermen's Federation
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."
