The Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI) is a unique and innovative approach to marine planning in Scotland. It aims to develop and test new approaches to improve the sustainable management of Scotland's marine environment through the establishment of pilot projects.
Designed to build upon and complement existing UK marine initiatives, it 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.
Four pilot areas have been involved:
- The Firth of Clyde
- Shetland Islands
- The Sound of Mull
- Berwickshire coast