The Scottish Government

Publications and Initiatives

This page provides information on a selection of initiatives and publications that the Marine Strategy Team has been involved in developing, as part of its programme of work to maintain and improve the quality of the marine environment.

Scottish Initiatives

Scotland's Seas: Towards Understanding their State

In summer 2007, the Scottish Government asked Fisheries Research Services (FRS), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to start work on assessing the state of Scotland's seas. Knowledge about Scotland's marine environment is important as a baseline as the Sustainable Seas Task Force (SSTF) develops its work and a consultation paper is prepared for the Scottish marine Bill. "Scotland's Seas: Towards Understanding thier State" was launched at the SSTF plenary meeting on April 9 2008. It paves the way for a full "State of Scotland's Seas" to be published in 2010.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/03093608/0

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/03093608/2 (pdf version)

Scottish Sustainable Marine Initiative

An important Scottish Government project to develop and then test the benefits of possible new management framework options for the sustainable development of Scotland's marine resources through the establishment of a number of pilot projects.

www.scottish-marine-sustainability.co.uk/

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

This is a proposed strategy for the protection and enhancement of Scotland's biodiversity resource. It is also a strategy for Scotland's people to encourage their understanding and enjoyment of biodiversity and their contribution towards its conservation. The strategy has been developed by the Scottish Biodiversity Forum at the request of the then Deputy Minister for the Environment, Allan Wilson MSP.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/biodiversity

A Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture

A Scottish Government project, which provides a positive forward look for measured growth in aquaculture (including sustainable development, Environmental Impact Assessments). The Strategy has been developed using a working group approach involving all key interests.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ERADRA/FFAME/00015953/page39723696.pdf

Strategic Framework for the Scottish Sea Fishing Industry

This document provides the basis for a strategic framework for the Scottish sea fishing industry. It sets out a number of aims, which the Scottish Government is pursuing in order to deliver the best possible conditions for the successful operation of a sustainable Scottish sea fishing industry.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/fisheries/fisheries_framework.pdf

Summary of the Scottish Executive's current Research and Development programmes

This link provides an informative summary on the Research and Development programmes currently being undertaken by the Scottish Executive.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/whatwedo.asp?topic=fisheries

Recommendations of the Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy (AGMACS)

Announced in the national strategy 'Seas the Opportunity' to provide better policy leadership and good governance in Scotland's marine area, AGMACS was convened in November 2005 and included representatives of national industry bodies, national stakeholder bodies, environmental NGOs, relevant regulatory agencies, and individual experts. AGMACS met six times over 2005-07, reporting its recommendations in March 2007.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/08103826/0

SEAS THE OPPORTUNITY : A Strategy for the long term sustainability of Scotland's coasts and seas

The Scottish Government's strategy for Scotland's marine and coastal environment was launched on September 12 2005. This strategy sets out a clear long-term vision for our coasts and seas and provides the blueprint to sustainably develop the marine and coastal environment, securing benefits for future generations.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/08/26102543/25444

UK Initiatives

A Sea Change: A Marine Bill White Paper

This UK Marine Bill White Paper sought views on proposals and input to the supporting regulatory impact assessment covering five key issues: planning in the marine area; licensing activities in the marine area; marine nature conservation; modernising marine fisheries management in England; and a new marine management organisation. The consultation on these proposals, which have the potential to impact on waters around Scotland for those matters reserved to Westminster, closed on June 8 2007.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marinebill-whitepaper07/marinebill-whitepaper.pdf[MC1]

Charting Progress: An integrated assessment of the state of UK seas

In 2002, the UK Government made a commitment to produce an integrated assessment of UK waters to help gauge if the UK is achieving its vision of clean, safe, healthy, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. Prepared jointly by Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly government and the devolved administration in Northern Ireland on behalf of the UK Government, this report illustrates the extent to which the seas around the UK continental shelf meet the vision.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/marine/uk/stateofsea/chartprogress.pdf

Safeguarding our Seas: A Strategy for the conservation and sustainable development of our marine environment (2002)

This report provides the basis for a Strategy for the conservation and sustainable development of the marine environment, based on a vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. It contains a number of new ideas and initiatives to turn this vision into a reality.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/marine/uk/stewardship/index.htm

The UK strategy for radioactive discharges 2001-2020

The UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges 2001-2020 sets out how the UK will implement the OSPAR Radioactive Discharges Strategy. The aim of the OSPAR Strategy is to ensure progressive reduction of concentrations of radioactive substances in the marine environment such that by 2020 they add close to zero to historic levels

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/radioactivity/government/discharges/

Marine Stewardship Report

This report provides the basis for a Strategy for the conservation and sustainable development of the marine environment, based on a vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. It contains a number of new ideas and initiatives to turn this vision into reality.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/stewardship/default.htm

Seas of Change Consultation document

This consultation paper outlines how the Marine Stewardship Report will deliver its vision for the marine environment. This will involve the development and application of an ecosystem-based approach, and involving stakeholders in the development of coastal and marine policy.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/consult/seas/index.htm

UK Small Cetacean Bycatch Response Strategy
A consultation paper outlining the proposed strategy by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Scottish Executive and other Devolved Administrations to reduce the incidental capture of small cetaceans in UK fisheries.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/cetacean/index.htm

International Initiatives

EU Marine Strategy Directive

The EU has proposed an ambitious strategy to protect more effectively the marine environment across Europe. The Marine Strategy will constitute the environmental pillar of the future maritime policy the EU commission is working on, designed to achieve the full economic potential of oceans and seas in harmony with the marine environment. The Scottish Government Marine Strategy Team is fully engaged with Defra and the other UK administrations in inputting to the developing EU proposals.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/marine.htm

Commission Communication on Marine Strategy

This Communication sets out work towards the development of a Thematic Strategy for the protection and conservation of the marine environment with the overall aim 'to promote sustainable use of the seas and to conserve marine ecosystems' faced with a range of threats.

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2002/com2002_0539en01.pdf