« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Marine Bill
4. The Scottish Government is separately considering proposals for the sustainable management of Scotland's seas and coast, including licensing activities in the marine environment. The consultation paper "Sustainable Seas For All - A consultation on Scotland's first Marine Bill" 4 outlines a more strategic approach to managing Scotland's seas. The long term intention of this work is to bring all forms of dredging (within and outwith) harbour areas within a single regulatory framework. This framework is likely to close the regulatory gap identified in paragraph 3 in due course. However, appropriate arrangements are unlikely to be in place for a number of years. Statutory procedures are therefore required to ensure that projects coming forward in the meantime comply with EC law.
5. As an interim measure, Marine Scotland was established on 1 April 2009 to integrate core marine functions involving scientific research, planning and regulation, compliance monitoring, policy and management of Scotland's seas. Marine Scotland's strategy statement is at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/03/31091025/0.
6. Marine Scotland's ability to meet its purpose will be enhanced by the powers proposed in the Scottish Marine Bill. Responsibility for considering applications to dredge for minerals in marine waters will remain with the Scottish Government's Directorate for the Built Environment until the licensing powers proposed in the Marine Bill are in place. However, Marine Scotland will be closely involved in the consideration process.
« Previous | Contents | Next »