Task force to take forward marine law

Representative body aims to balance competing interests for use of coastal waters

News, 4 January 2008

A new task force has been set up to consider proposals for legislation to protect Scotland's marine and coastal environment.

With representatives from 26 different bodies covering fishing, shipping, oil and gas, environmental interests, government and other sectors, the body will reflect a broad spectrum of opinion from the main users of Scotland's seas.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, who will chair the body, said the aim of the new marine legislation was to ensure the sustainable management of Scotland's seas and coasts, with a new system of planning for the sea, better nature conservation and improvements to licensing and regulation of the marine environment. It would also balance the competing interests for use and protection of the seas.

The minister will also ask the Task Force to consider what additional powers need to be devolved to Scotland, especially for functions such as marine planning and nature conservation.

Mr Lochhead commented that to protect Scotland's 11,000 km of coastline, "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 first meeting of the Task Force will be on 23 January, when the group will consider the work undertaken on marine legislation up to now and a work programme. The detailed work of the group will be undertaken at five workshops over the following months, with a final group meeting in April. The Scottish Government will undertake a full consultation on a Marine Bill shortly thereafter.