The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Managing Scotland’s coastal waters

15/07/2004

A strategy to improve the management of Scotland's coastlines, increase wildlife and boost human enjoyment has been published.

The Scottish Coastal Forum (SCF), set up by the Minister with independent chairmanship, has produced the strategy containing proposals to develop new coastal policies ensuring the long term sustainable development of our coastal waters.

A Strategy for Scotland's Coast and Inshore Waters includes proposals to:

• create a national planning framework which includes a system of coastal and marine spatial planning
• encourage local authorities to prepare coastal policy statements covering the inshore waters within 12 miles of terrestrial boundaries, for inclusion in structure and district wide plans
• create a co-ordination group within government to oversee, lead on and champion the development and delivery of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Scotland
• carry out an audit to ensure that the best use is being made of existing mechanisms for collection, analysis and dissemination of data
• generate an understanding of the monetary and non-monetary value of the coastal zone
• To produce a good practice report on how to get people and communities involved in decision-making related to the coast and inshore waters and review at a national level

Deputy Environment Minister Allan Wilson said:

"Our coasts and seas are important in both environmental and economic terms. They support many species of birds, fish and other sealife and continue to support many coastal communities.

"This important work by the Scottish Coastal Forum will help us develop a strategy to protect Scotland's marine environment and I look forward to working together with the wide range of interests involved in the Forum."

Capt Anthony Wilks, Chairman of SCF said:

"Scotland is justly famous for its coast - for its scenic beauty, rich wildlife and importance in our national culture and economy. However there is an increasing pressure on this valuable resource, and a growing recognition that we should manage our coastline in a more strategic and coordinated way"

The Strategy has been produced through a series of national events in partnership between the members of SCF, who have worked hard to involve key organisations and draw together the main issues and opportunities in the document.

In 2002 the SCF published its statement of intent for the strategy:

• To take stock - review the resources and key management issues associated with Scotland's Coast and Inshore waters at the beginning of the 21st Century
• Look beyond the short-to-medium term - develop an influential vision for the wise use of Scotland's coast and inshore waters based on a 25-year forward view
• Build coherence and synergy in coastal policy and management - taking account of the needs of all sectors and the EU's encouragement for the development of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
• Identify objectives and key actions for implementing the strategy

The Scottish Coastal Forum is a voluntary partnership set up in 1996 at the request of the Minister. It has a remit to:

• Encourage a voluntary, sustainable and holistic approach to the management of Scotland's Coasts through the formation of local coastal fora
• Act as the national focus for coastal issues and co-ordinate the dissemination of advice on best practice
• Reflect views and aspirations of local fora for the coast of Scotland and guide a national policy framework within which local initiatives can operate
• Advise Government in the development of coastal policies for Scotland

The Strategic Framework for the Marine Environment, which the Executive is currently consulting on, will set out how the management of the marine environment will be put into place. The SCF's recommendations relate very closely to the aims of the Framework and the SCF Strategy will inform this consultation.

The Forum is a partnership consisting of Scottish Quality Salmon, Scottish Water, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Link, Visit Scotland, Sport Scotland, The Crown Estate, British Ports Association, Confederation of British Industry, Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, COSLA, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, SEPA and Scottish Fishermen's Federation, Scottish Renewables Forum and British Geological Society.