Whether there are any plans to introduce further conservation designation orders in Scottish waters for the purpose of protecting freshwate…

I announced a list of new proposed Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) on 14 June (Official Report, 14 June 2000, S1W-7913). Among those sites, the following were proposed for the protection of freshwater fish: Berriedale and Langwell WatersGrimerstaLittle Gruinard RiverRiver BladnochRiver DeeRiver MoristonRiver Naver and Mallart RiverRiver OykelRiver South EskRiver TeithRiver ThursoRiver TweedI indicated when I made that announcement that I was open to consideration of scientific evidence about any exceptions to the completeness of the list. I am awaiting further advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on this matter.I trust that the proposed SAC designation of some Scottish rivers will be viewed as a positive move, with local interests, including District Salmon Fisheries Boards, working together to manage the sites for their conservation interests
- as is happening already on the River Spey.