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Minister's foreword
Coastal and Marine National Parks are a key part of my overall strategy for Scotland's marine and coastal environments. It is a further element in a series of initiatives that the Scottish Executive have taken in recent years that demonstrate the importance we attach to the vitality of our coasts and seas. This wider work is ongoing and is being assisted by the Advisory Committee on the Marine and Coastal Strategy that I established last year.
Scotland's natural and cultural heritage is world renowned and our marine and coastal environment is part of our common wealth as an island nation. These traditional ties to the sea remain very strong today.
A Coastal and Marine National Park should be a national and international showcase, attracting visitors and activity to Scotland for the benefit of the whole country.
The Scottish Executive's proposal to establish Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park is in my view a designation that befits the important status of our natural and cultural heritage, which is valuable for its own sake. National Parks in Scotland are, however, about so much more than safeguarding our heritage for future generations. They are founded on the very principles of sustainable development and are also concerned with promotion of sustainable social and economic development of the area's communities. These very principles are enshrined in the legislation that provides for National Parks in Scotland.
Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park would truly be a national treasure but I am in no doubt that wherever Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park is located it will create substantial local economic opportunities and deliver genuine social benefits to communities living within the Park's boundaries. Examples of the economic and social benefits that can flow from a Coastal and Marine National Park are outlined in the document but perhaps the most profound is the potential to create a self-reinforcing cycle of benefits. National Park status will attract increased numbers of tourists, presenting new opportunities to enhance visitor spend which would in turn generate additional income locally, increase business confidence and enhance the image of the area. This could be an important driver for increasing demand for sustainable products that are branded as coming from the National Park area which could both add value to traditional sectors and encourage more tourists to visit the area thus perpetuating the cycle. That is the type of virtuous circle that I want to achieve and it can be made a reality through the co-operation and buy-in of those sectors of the economy that have concerns about a move away from the status quo.
We must not lose sight of the fact that the proposals are at an early stage of development and that no decisions have yet been taken on the preferred location or the range of functions and powers of the National Park Authority that would accompany the designation of a Coastal and Marine National Park.
I encourage all those with an interest to help us shape the proposals to establish Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park by responding to this consultation so that we can take account of people's views before taking decisions on how to progress the proposals. That will best ensure Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park makes a difference to people's lives and the general well-being of the local economy while safeguarding our natural and cultural heritage.
Ross Finnie MSP
Minister for Environment and Rural Development
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