The Scottish Government has launched a consultation, led by Scottish Natural Heritage, on establishing five new offshore Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
The proposals cover more than 18,000 square kilometres (7,000 square miles) of sea and furthers existing protection for local seabirds and their habitats.
Four of the SPAs are located solely in Scottish waters, including the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex, Pentland Firth, seas off Foula, and seas off St Kilda.
Consultation on the fifth site with an extending coverage in the Solway Firth is being jointly led by Scottish Natural Heritage and Natural England.
This announcement comes shortly after consultations closed on 3 October on proposals for an additional 10 onshore SPAs. Together these 15 SPAs would safeguard the long-term health of 31 species of seabirds, including gannets, puffins and Great Skuas, the government said.
“Scotland’s seas are a vast and rich natural resource and it is vital that we keep them healthy and protected for current and future generations to enjoy and benefit from,” Scotland’s Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, said.
“Much of our coastline and the surrounding seas are a globally important habitat for many bird species, providing food, a place to rear young, and winter refuge. This government is committed to ensuring a sustainable future for our precious yet vulnerable marine habitat. The proposed SPAs are now going out to consultation and we want to hear as many views as possible, to ensure that they fulfil our aims to protect our iconic seabirds.”
The consultation on marine Special Protection Areas can be accessed here.