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7. Other Work of the Group
Reviewing the objectives, outcomes and outputs in "Seas the Opportunity"
7.1 AGMACS has not, as a whole, systematically reviewed the objectives, outcomes and outputs incorporated into "Seas the Opportunity", a role suggested in the original AGMACS terms of reference. Many of those objectives, outputs and outcomes are longer term; therefore a proper review would need a longer timescale than the work of the group which lasted just over a year. This issue is perhaps better considered over a longer timescale, perhaps by a successor forum to the Group.
AGMACS Recommendation
7.1.1 A review of the objectives, outcomes and outputs in "Seas the Opportunity" should be undertaken as part of the longer term policy development of the Marine and Coastal Strategy, perhaps by a successor forum to AGMACS.
Coastal and Marine National Parks
7.2 AGMACS considered the work being undertaken by SNH to prepare advice to Scottish Ministers on establishing coastal and marine national parks in Scotland. This work was presented to the Group in the form of paper AGMACS(06)06, presented by SNH, and subsequent discussion at the second meeting of the Group. SNH took account of the comments made during this discussion before finalizing their report on Coastal and Marine National Parks, submitted to Ministers in March 2006.
Updates on UK Marine Bill and EU context
7.3 To ensure that there was a link between the work of the Group and the developments at the UK and European level, including the EU Marine Strategy Directive and the EU Maritime Green Paper, AGMACS received regular updates on this work.
7.4 AGMACS also considered that it would be desirable to clarify the responsibilities for the 12-200nm zone in relation to Marine Spatial Planning and Nature Conservation, and the related role for a possible Marine Management Organisation.
Marine Renewable Energy
7.5 AGMACS directed at the first meeting of the Group that they should be briefed on the marine renewable energy technologies as these were emerging developments. This resulted in the preparation of the presentation AGMACS(06)30 by Richard Yemm, heard at the fourth meeting of the Group. Following this discussion, the Scottish Executive prepared AGMACS(06)36, on Strategic Environmental Assessment of wave and tidal technologies, noted at the fifth meeting of the Group.
"Desired State" of the Environment
7.6 At the first meeting, AGMACS considered that there was a need to identify the desired state of Scotland's marine and coastal environment in order to be clearer about the link between the overall vision in "Seas the Opportunity" and its objectives and outcomes. Michael Scott offered to circulate a paper he had drafted. The paper and a subsequent revision were discussed at the second and third meetings of the Group. The paper sparked off much discussion and debate amongst members and a final version was circulated as AGMACS(06)24 at the fourth meeting of the Group in September 2006. This paper was approved at this meeting by AGMACS as an excellent "reference paper". It does not form part of the policy conclusions of the Group but the outcomes of the work of AGMACS could be linked back to this paper in the future. For example, this might be a useful starting point for Scottish Marine Ecosystem Objectives.
Sustainable Development Indicators
7.7 At the third AGMACS meeting in May 2006, the Scottish Executive undertook to investigate the development of socio-economic objectives and indicators in light of this being recognised as a gap in the work of the science workstream.
7.8 Paper AGMACS (06) 29, "Sustainable Development Indicators - discussion paper", by Pareto Consulting was discussed at the fourth meeting in September. It was agreed that the SE would consider how to take this work forward and paper AGMACS (06)42 - "Sustainable Development Indicators Next Steps" was discussed at the fifth meeting. In light of the work underway at the UK level under the United Kingdom Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy ( UKMMAS), it outlined three options of:
- A consultant developing the work by Pareto Consulting;
- The possibility of an AGMACS a sub group, depending on the future of AGMACS, to develop the thinking further amongst stakeholders and decide the next steps whilst ensuring a strong linkage with the UK process; or
- Ensuring good Scottish representation in the objectives work due to be undertaken under the UKMMAS umbrella starting in spring 2007.
7.9 AGMACS was keen that work of this nature continued and with AGMACS members involvement; this could be via all three options. It was agreed that the SE would advise AGMACS on the outcome of the proposed January 2007 UKMMAS ( MAPC) workshop (postponed to February 2007) in order to further inform its work.
AGMACS Recommendation
7.10 Following consideration of the papers on Sustainable Development Indicators and subsequent discussion, AGMACS makes the following recommendation.
7.10.1 AGMACS recognises the importance of the socio-economic dimension and the need for sustainable development objectives and indicators. The current work being undertaken at the UK level was noted. AGMACS recommends that its members be engaged fully in this process to ensure the Scottish dimension is incorporated and that objectives and indicators developed are used in future Scottish marine and coastal policy.
Sea Fisheries Advisory and Reference Group
7.11 AGMACS were briefed on the work of the Sea Fisheries Advisory Group ( Sea-FAR) at its fifth meeting. This took the form of a presentation AGMACS(06)44 by Barbara Strathern from the Scottish Executive, Sea Fisheries Conservation Division.
Extending Planning Controls for Marine Fish Farming
7.12 At the first meeting of AGMACS, in November 2005, the issue of the proposals to extend local authority planning consents to aquaculture was raised. This subject was referred to the Deputy Minister (Rhona Brankin) to consider through the Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture, which she chaired. At the second meeting, AGMACS members were asked to send any written comments on these proposals to the Aquaculture Group secretariat. This issue was explored further in the interim report on the Marine Spatial Planning workstream ( AGMACS(06)19).
7.13 In taking forward the framework for delivery of aquaculture planning and consents, the Executive has been clear that in the longer term, marine fish farms will need to continue to be taken into account as we develop the policy for a marine and coastal strategy and Marine Spatial Planning. It seems sensible that aquaculture is considered within the context of Marine Spatial Planning more generally.
AGMACS Recommendation
7.14 In relation to controls for Marine Fish Farming, AGMACS makes the following recommendation.
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