Marine Directorate PE1047/C Marine Strategy Division PE1081/E 1A(S) Victoria Quay EH6 6QQ

T: 0131-244 6234 F: 0131-244 7163 E: david.palmer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Mr Franck David TG.01 EDINBURGH EH99 1SP

___ 15 October 2008

Dear Mr David

Thank you for your letter of 21 February to Betty Morgan regarding consideration of petitions PE1047 and PE1081. You requested a response by 26 September in advance of the Committee’s meeting on 18 November. I am sorry for the late reply.

You requested a written response to the specific issues raised in the petitions, the relevant action the Scottish Government is taking to address these, including what the Government’s intentions are for what will go into the Marine Bill and how that will be relevant to the issues raised in the petitions. This information is provided separately for each petition because they appear to raise different issues.

PE1047

Petition PE1047 refers to the consultation by the previous administration on proposals for a Coastal and Marine National Park (CMNP). The consultation responses highlighted support in principle for a park at the national level but concerns expressed included the economic impact on fisheries, aquaculture and tourism businesses. The Scottish Government has no objection in principle to a CMNP where there is local support but wishes to address the wider issue of effective marine regulation first.

To achieve this the Scottish Government has conducted a consultation on Scotland’s first marine bill: Sustainable Seas for All. A group of key stakeholders (the Sustainable Seas Task Force) developed proposals for the public consultation that began on 14 July 2008. The proposals put forward for consultation comprise a new legislative framework to improve management of Scotland’s marine environment.

A Scottish Marine Bill will deliver environmental protection within a system that

promotes sustainable economic growth. A new system of Marine Planning will seek to integrate planning for coastal and marine development in Scottish waters and take account of ecosystems. Other proposals include streamlined licensing and a new power for Scottish Ministers to designate Marine Protected Areas to further safeguard our seas and protect nationally important features. A new administrative body, Marine Scotland, will lead delivery.

The consultation closed on 06 October 2008 and written responses have so far been received from over 250 sources. In addition, five campaigns were run from three different sources (including Scottish Environment LINK, Advocates for Animals and Animal Concern). The total responses received across all campaigns is over 7000. A series of public events were undertaken around Scotland’s coast and islands, attended by around 1000 people, to provide information and seek feedback on the proposals for marine legislation.

The Scottish Government aims to present the Bill to Parliament in spring 2009. Once the bill process is complete we will take stock of how a CMNP would sit within the broader context outlined above. Decisions can then be made on whether a Park would add value to the management of a local area. No area would be designated as a CMNP without local consultation and scrutiny of more detailed proposals.

PE1081

Regarding Petition PE1081 the petitioner is seeking to address a very wide range of issues relating to the marine and maritime sectors, both devolved and reserved and involving international and European dimensions. We support in principle the notions of more joined-up working between agencies responsible for marine matters and less specialism and more integration. The new marine management frameworks that will be created through the Marine Bills at the Scottish Parliament and Westminster provide opportunities for more joined-up delivery and new organisations will be tasked with co-ordinating delivery.

The EU is also in the process of developing a European Integrated Maritime Policy that will be important for Scotland, for example in relation to fishing and maritime spatial planning to name just two issues. Many of the policy initiatives arising from this will cover devolved policy areas (for example, environment or planning) and many reserved (for example, shipping, maritime surveillance).

It follows that the Scottish Government will need to maintain a good dialogue with Westminster to ensure that the full implications for Scottish and UK interests are considered. Many of the intended policy initiatives are cross-cutting (for example, maritime business clusters, climate change at the coast, making sustainable use of the oceans and seas) and this will require us to work across portfolios within Scotland.

The Scottish Marine Bill will make an important contribution to the implementation of some parts of the Integrated Maritime Policy (for example, maritime spatial planning) through the creation of the proposed Scottish Marine Management Organisation (Marine Scotland). However, other policy and legislative initiatives may be required (for example for climate change, to encourage business clusters) and other

organisations will need to become involved over time.

If this is part of what the petitioner is seeking then he can be reassured that the necessary steps are being taken. The Scottish Government is not in a position however to comment on matters associated with the deliberations of the International Maritime Organisation, which is reserved to the UK Government.

I hope this response is helpful.

Yours sincerely

David Palmer Marine Strategy Division