This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Managing Scotland's marine environment
19/02/2007
A new approach to managing the marine and coastal environment could deliver real benefits, Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said today.
The Executive's Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy (AGMACS) has been considering the potential for a marine planning system to strengthen the management of the seas.
Addressing a conference on the marine environment in Aberdeen, Mr Finnie said:
"Changing the way we plan our marine activity could bring real benefits to users of the marine environment. There is a strong emerging consensus from the AGMACS group that we need to establish a new system of Marine Spatial Planning in Scotland.
"Any new system would need to be integrated with potential UK and European marine planning systems. A more integrated approach would reduce uncertainty, support sustainable use and bring real benefits to all users of the marine and coastal environment.
"For me, the direction is clear. There is a huge amount of interest, activity and diversity in our coasts and seas. We need to work together and respond to the challenges ahead to safeguard our seas and coastal waters."
Marine Spatial Planning is where the multiple and cumulative uses of the sea could be managed in a sustainable way. Planning may be in the form of establishing strategic plans to regulate activity, and to protect the marine environment.
The AGMACS recommendations will be published next month.