Scottish Government

Given the dynamic nature of the marine environment, it is important that marine planning is undertaken in an international context, recognising that activity carried out elsewhere can have a significant impact on Scottish waters and vice versa.

The Scottish Government works closely with a range of interests within the UK and Europe to ensures that the development of a marine planning system for Scottish waters aligns appropriately with other frameworks being created. It also helps to ensure a consistent approach, where necessary, whilst also ensuring Scottish interests are properly represented.

Key activites have been:

• A joint Ministerial Committee Agreement on marine management, giving Scotland more responsbility for planning and nature conservation
• A joint Ministerial Marine Planning Statement, detailing the committment between Scotland and England to work together on marine planning
• The development of a UK Marine Policy Statement, to set the high level context for marine planning, UK-wide
• The requirement, through the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, to develop national strategies on how to achieve Good Environmental Status by 2020