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Scottish Coastal Forum: Current ICZM initiatives: Spring 2004
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Ronas Voe, North Mainland
© Shetland Islands Council |
SHETLAND COASTAL MANAGEMENT
An integrated marine management plan is currently being developed for the whole coastline of Shetland, which extends to some 1,300 km. Whilst Shetland Islands Council is driving the project forward it is being overseen by a steering group of the many stakeholders involved to ensure all relevant interests are represented. The principal aim of the plan is to ensure that current and future developments in the coastal zone are sustainable through balancing of the environmental, social and economic factors.
To some extent Shetland is in a unique position as it has access to primary legislation that can be used to regulate and control marine developments below mean high water springs (MHWS). Although originally enacted to regulate the oil industry, the Zetland County Council Act has been used to issue works licences for aquaculture developments and more recently renewable energy projects.
Whilst applications for works licences are dealt with under a policy framework, there is no formal spatial planning incorporated into it other than a requirement for aquaculture sites to be a minimum distance apart. It is hoped that this can be achieved through policies written into the marine management plan. In doing so, a better co-ordinated and more appropriate approach to coastal zone management is envisaged.
Martin Holmes,
Coastal Zone Manager,
Fisheries and Marine Resources,
Shetland Islands Council,
E-mail:martin.holmes@sic.shetland.gov.uk
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