The Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI) is a unique and innovative approach to marine planning in Scotland. The SSMEI aims to develop and test new approaches to improve the sustainable management of Scotland's marine environment through the establishment of a number of pilot projects.
The SSMEI is designed to build upon and complement existing UK marine initiatives. The project aims to gain an understanding of the nature, value, and management needs of Scotland 's marine environment and to identify alternative management approaches, with a view to ensuring new management initiatives and possible future legislation result in a truly sustainable framework.
The pilots were established in the Firth of Clyde, Shetland Islands, the Sound of Mull and the Berwickshire coast.
These pages provide information on the background to the SSMEI, what stages the pilots are currently at and contact details for the project officers.