SCOTLAND'S first marine bill was created yesterday in what was heralded as a "momentous" day by the country's environment chief.
The Scottish Marine Bill lays out measures to overhaul the planning system for the seas around Scotland and to establish conservation zones. However, green groups raised concerns that the legislation would not go far enough to protect the marine en
vironment.
While environmental groups called for conservation measures to be at the heart of the bill, fishing organisations warned that they should not be given "disproportionate" attention.
The creation of the marine bill, which will now go before parliament, follows a Save Our Seas campaign by The Scotsman. Measures include a new marine planning framework, a simpler licensing system and the ability to form marine protected areas to conserve ocean habitats.
Richard Lochhead, the environment secretary, told The Scotsman it was a "momentous day". He added: "Our seas support tens of thousands of jobs, generate billions of pounds for our economy, put food on our tables and are set to play an increasing role in powering our nation."
He added: "We are introducing the framework to help deliver a new future for Scotland's seas. Our marine bill aims to maximise economic growth while ensuring future generations can still enjoy this world-class environment."
Green groups ranging from the Marine Conservation Society to Scottish Wildlife Trust called for environmental protection to be increased in the bill. Calum Duncan, chairman of the marine taskforce for Scottish Environment LINK, wanted the legislation toughened so that the government had a duty to create conservation areas at sea, rather than just the ability to do so.
He said he was "concerned that the health of the marine ecosystem will be traded off against social and economic objectives for our seas rather than underpinning them".
Lloyd Austin, head of conservation policy for RSPB Scotland, said the bill "must protect Scotland's jewel in the crown by putting the environment first in any decisions about how we manage our seas". And the Scottish Greens called for the bill to be amended to turn all of Scotland's waters into a mass whale and dolphin sanctuary.
However, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, called for "balance" and warned that the bill posed "threats" as well as opportunities for the fishing industry.
"It is vital the bill avoids the pitfall of paying disproportionate attention to the high-profile issues of environmental protection and offshore renewable energy: both are welcome and desirable, but proper recognition must always be given to fishing and the vital economic role it plays."
Jason Ormiston, chief executive of green energy trade body Scottish Renewables, said the bill needed to provide the framework for the development of renewable energy, which he said could bring £10 billion investment by 2020.
Mr Lochhead said: "Striking the right balance between the long-term viability and growth of our marine industries and the enhanced protection of our special marine environment is at the very heart of our bill."
He emphasised the economic potential of the seas, which generate £2.2 billion for the economy and have a quarter of Europe's tidal and offshore wind resource. They provide 50,000 jobs and support 6,500 species of plants and animals and a £348 million fishing industry.
THE MARINE BILL AT A GLANCE• THE bill will create a national marine plan, a framework to manage the future use of the seas for energy, fishing, aquaculture and recreation.
• A marine planning system will cover everything from marine renewables to sand and gravel extraction and recreational activities.
• Marine protection areas will be created to safeguard unique habitats, wildlife, archaeology and wrecks.
• Marine planning partnerships aimed at involving local agencies and communities in planning decisions will be established.
• Simpler licensing system will be put in place to reduce the administrative burden, particularly in key growth areas such as renewables.
• The Scottish Government has already created a new body to manage Scotland's seas, Marine Scotland, responsible for marine planning, policy development, management and compliance monitoring.
• The Scottish bill will legislate for waters up to 12 nautical miles off the coast of Scotland. The UK bill is set to give Scotland greater powers over conservation and fisheries out to 200 nautical miles.
The full article contains 724 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
