Written Question · S2W-18605 · Session 2
What additional protection is needed in respect of the marine environment; what impact such protection would have on the fishing industry, …
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional protection is needed in respect of the marine environment; what impact such protection would have on the fishing industry, and who would be asked to assess that impact.
The answer
On 12 September 2005 the Scottish Executive published Seas the Opportunity – A Strategy for the Long Term Sustainability of Scotland’s Coasts and Seas. Copies of the strategy document have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 37466) and it is available on the Scottish Executive’s website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2005/08/26102453/25444.
Our marine and coastal environments remain at potential risk from water borne pollution, sea-bed disturbance, habitat loss, disturbance to sea life and declining stocks of some fish species. While action is already in hand to address these risks, often through sector specific strategies, we need to do more to assess and deal with cumulative and cross-sectoral impacts to provide for improved protection of the environment in a way which means longer term socio-economic need. The new strategy will determine what specific new measure might be needed to achieve that.
The impacts of any new measures that arise from the strategy will be considered initially by the new stakeholder group which will comprise representatives from a range of sectors, including fisheries. In addition, the interests of the fishing sector are being addressed through specific strategies for both inshore and sea fisheries, both of which are set within the wider context of the new marine and coastal strategy.
The fishing sector, among others, is also being consulted fully on the work I have commissioned from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to identify potential candidate sites for Scotland’s first coastal and marine national park. The stakeholder group for the marine and coastal strategy will make an input to SNH’s assessment which I expect to receive by March 2006.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2005/08/26102453/25444.
Our marine and coastal environments remain at potential risk from water borne pollution, sea-bed disturbance, habitat loss, disturbance to sea life and declining stocks of some fish species. While action is already in hand to address these risks, often through sector specific strategies, we need to do more to assess and deal with cumulative and cross-sectoral impacts to provide for improved protection of the environment in a way which means longer term socio-economic need. The new strategy will determine what specific new measure might be needed to achieve that.
The impacts of any new measures that arise from the strategy will be considered initially by the new stakeholder group which will comprise representatives from a range of sectors, including fisheries. In addition, the interests of the fishing sector are being addressed through specific strategies for both inshore and sea fisheries, both of which are set within the wider context of the new marine and coastal strategy.
The fishing sector, among others, is also being consulted fully on the work I have commissioned from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to identify potential candidate sites for Scotland’s first coastal and marine national park. The stakeholder group for the marine and coastal strategy will make an input to SNH’s assessment which I expect to receive by March 2006.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-18605 by reference.