Scotland’s first ever National Marine Plan was published today by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead.
The plan sets out a single statutory planning framework for all marine activity in Scottish waters.
This will include policies for the sustainable management of a wide range of marine industries, including those which are long established such as fishing and ports and those more recently emerging such as offshore wind and marine renewable energy.
It also includes sectoral plans for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy in Scottish waters and removes the options for offshore wind development in the Solway Firth.
The framework covers all of Scotland’s seas out to 200 nautical miles and applies to existing and emerging activities as well as devolved and reserved functions. The plan will be reported on within three years of adoption.
Mr Lochhead said: “This marks the beginning of a long term commitment to protect our seas for future generations and I would like to thank the wide range of marine interests who have been involved in the development of the plan. We now have an easy to use framework with planning information available online through National Marine Plan interactive.”
Lindsay Leask, Senior Policy Manager, Scottish Renewables said: “Offshore renewable energy holds huge potential for sustainable development in Scotland, which is already home to some of the most advanced wave and tidal technologies in the world, and a developing offshore wind sector. It is also an incredibly powerful tool in the fight against one of the greatest widespread threats to the health of the marine environment – climate change.
“As such, Scottish Renewables supports the development of the National Marine Plan and the plans for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy and welcomes the Plan’s commitment to building a globally competitive Scottish offshore wind and marine renewables industry.”
Image: Scottish Government