Marine Protected Areas consultation results published

The Scottish Government has national and international commitments to establish a network of nature conservation MPAs in its seas. The MPA proposals formed part of a 16-week Planning Scotland's Seas' consultation last year, which also sought views on a list of Priority Marine Features, a National Marine Plan and marine renewable energy plans.

Marine Scotland has today published its analysis of the consultation. This shows that of the 14,703 respondents, only 12 (twelve) answered No', when asked if they were in favour of a Scottish network of Nature Conservation MPAs.

Also published today is scientific advice to Ministers from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). SNH is recommending 17 MPAs in territorial waters (within 12nm of the coast) and JNCC recommends a further 16 MPAs in offshore waters.

Together with existing EU designations, such as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) with marine elements, these could form Scotland's MPA network.

Marine Scotland coordinated 56 public events during the consultation, at coastal venues around the country, 36 of which were supported by SNH staff. These included a number of SNH-led MPA drop-in sessions giving people a chance to hear what is being proposed and to ask questions.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"Today we published the independent analysis of the consultation responses we received to Planning Scotland's Seas.' I am delighted we received so many responses which shows how passionate people in Scotland are about our beautiful marine environment.

"This government has worked hard to introduce marine planning and the upcoming National Marine Plan will help achieve the balance needed for sustainable growth. We will also be able to confirm the locations of the Marine Protected Areas later this year. I would like to thank SNH and JNCC for the progress made so far."

The majority of responses to the MPA part of the consultation were generated by campaigns related to seabirds, whales and dolphins, or community campaigns in support of proposals, such as the South Arran proposed MPA and progression of an MPA between Skye and Mull.

Following an initial review, Marine Scotland asked SNH and JNCC to consider scientific and evidence issues raised in the responses.

Ron Macdonald, SNH director of policy and advice, said:

"Our advice published today is the result of careful consideration of the MPA consultation responses. Our report focuses on the scientific aspects of 137 responses from individuals and organisations about the 17 MPAs proposed in territorial waters. We have advised Scottish Ministers that all of the 17 inshore possible MPAs merit designation.

"With three metres of coastline for every person in Scotland our seas are an environmental, economic and recreational resource that makes an enormous contribution to our quality of life. The huge response to the consultation on MPAs covered a range of views on the challenges of balancing environmental interests with other uses of the sea. This tells us that people share an appreciation of how special Scotland's seas are. Not only that, it says that they want to conserve what makes them special for the benefit of current and future generations."

To support the MPA consultation SNH produced a series of site-specific documents for each MPA. The organisation will now finalise these to reflect the changes it recommends and to support decisions by Scottish Ministers on which sites to designate as Nature Conservation MPAs. SNH will continue to support Marine Scotland and work with sea users to develop management for the sites.