A new marine management body which is set to play a vital role in managing Scotland’s seas is officially up and running from today.
Marine Scotland has direct responsibility for marine science, planning, policy development, management and compliance monitoring measures.
The current functions of Fisheries Research Services (FRS), the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) and the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate are brought together under the new organisation
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
“Marine Scotland is the new champion for our marine environment. With direct responsibility for marine science, planning, management and monitoring measures it is set to play a key role in ensuring Scotland makes the most of its seas for both current and future generations. It will be transparent and, through Ministers, directly accountable to Parliament.
“Our consultation showed widespread support for a new, integrated body to provide a stable framework within which business such as marine renewables can take long term investment decisions, while at the same time ensuring the thousands of species that inhabit our seas are protected. The establishment of Marine Scotland marks a significant step towards a more integrated, simpler and efficient marine management system – but it is just the beginning.
“Marine Scotland will combine and co-ordinate the efforts of existing bodies, and will have the essential role of joining up with the UK Marine Management Organisation and others to ensure a shared, strategic approach to marine management. We will shortly bring forward a Marine Bill that will provide a sustainable future for our waters, and build on existing arrangements to provide the foundations for Marine Scotland’s work.”
Lloyd Austin, Head of Conservation Policy, RSPB Scotland said:
“RSPB Scotland warmly welcomes the creation of Marine Scotland. We think it is very important that we have a new champion for the marine environment. We’ve long argued for marine legislation that reforms, simplifies and reorganises the way in which we manage our seas. As part of that reform we wanted to see a single government entity to champion the seas, and to champion a sustainable management of the seas, that puts the environment at the heart of how we look after that precious natural resource, that is an important resource for the communities and the economies that it supports.
Jason Ormiston, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables said:
“The Scottish renewables industry has a good record of working with the Scottish Government and we see working with Marine Scotland as an extension of that. We will be keen to work very closely with the staff at Marine Scotland to ensure that they understand what the renewables industry is about and that we also understand what they’re about as well.”
Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive, Scottish Fisherman’s Federation said:
“Marine Scotland, with the birth of the UK and Scottish Marine Bills, will be a highly significant organisation, as far as we’re concerned. It will be responsible for the planning for the maritime world in which we live and it is vital that we work together to strike the right balance. We recognise there will be a number of challenges and so will do our very best to form a partnership with Marine Scotland and work closely with them to ensure that what fishing needs and what the nation needs from the sustainable harvesting of fish from the sea happens via Marine Scotland.”
