WIREDGOV

A pilot project which will help shape Scotland's first Marine Bill has been conducted in the Sound of Mull.

A public consultation together with drop-in sessions about the Sound of Mull Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI) will start this month.

Two and a half years in production, the draft Sound of Mull Marine Spatial Plan tackles issues such as the regulation, management and protection of the marine environment of Sound of Mull, and will provide valuable information informing the design of legislation in the Scottish Marine Bill, which is currently being debated in the Scottish Parliament.

It considers a wide variety of activities, from wildlife watching to fish farming, which take place on one of the west coast's most historic and spectacular waterways.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:

"The Scottish Government is making marine planning and management more efficient, inclusive and accessible - both now and for future generations through the development of the Scottish Marine Bill.

"I welcome this draft plan, a significant milestone for an area that has been intimately linked with the marine environment for generations. Its production will help inform the future development of marine planning in Scotland and I congratulate everyone involved in its preparation.

"I would now urge anyone, whether an individual or representative of industry or community, who has an interest in the future of the Sound of Mull, to read the draft plan and put forward any suggestions for improvement."

Argyll & Bute Councillor Robert Macintyre, spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs, said:

"The Sound of Mull is an area of great natural beauty appreciated by many visitors every year, and is vital to the well-being of the local communities.

"This plan aims to ensure sustainable usage of the area for the sake of all who utilise or enjoy it. Whilst further input from industry, marine users and agencies is anticipated, views from the wider public are very much welcomed."

The development of the Sound of Mull Marine Spatial Plan has been guided by the Sound of Mull Working Group, which comprises a wide variety of local stakeholders who have an interest in the area.

Scottish Natural Heritage is one of the stakeholders on the Working Group.

South Operations Director, Andrew Bachell, added:

"The Sound of Mull supports a number of marine habitats and species of international and national importance and is a busy area for shipping and marine industry such as fish and shellfish farming and tourism. It is therefore absolutely crucial that an efficient and co-ordinated approach is taken, in order to secure this resource. That is what this plan sets out to achieve."

As part of the consultation the SSMEI project will be holding public drop-in sessions for members of the public to learn more about the plan, and to provide any feedback on how the project has been conducted so far.

Drop in session details are as follows:

• LOCHALINE - VILLAGE HALL - December 7, 3pm to 8pm
• KILCHOAN - COMMUNITY CENTRE - December 8, 3pm to 8pm
• TOBERMORY - AROS HALL - December 9, 3pm to 8pm
• CRAIGNURE - VILLAGE HALL - December 10, 3pm to 8pm

Copies of the draft Sound of Mull Marine Spatial Plan can be downloaded from www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ssmeisoundofmullconsultation from the December 1.

The consultation period will last until Sunday the February 28, 2010 and comments received will be used to help finalise the plan ahead of its publication in mid 2010.

The Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI) was instigated by the Scottish Government in November 2002. Through the SSMEI the Scottish Government is developing and testing novel approaches to marine management that will inform the debate on how to improve management of Scotland's marine and coastal waters. The SSMEI Sound of Mull Pilot is one of four projects, with the others being located around the Clyde Estuary, Shetland Isles, and the Berwickshire Coast.

Marine Spatial Planning has been identified in proposals for both Scottish and UK Marine Bills as a key tool to achieve more sustainable management of our seas and coast.

The SSMEI Sound of Mull Working Group is a stakeholder-regulator partnership made up of 38 organisations:

• Aggregate Industries, Glensanda
• Ardtornish Estate - Fishery Manager River Aline
• Argyll & Bute Council
• Argyll Charter Boat Association
• Cachalot
• Caledonian MacBrayne
• Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust
• Highland Council
• Historic Scotland
• Land owners - Mull
• Lochaline Boat Charters
• Lochaline Dive Centre
• Lighthouse Caledonia
• Mallaig & Northwest Fishermen's Association
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency
• Morvern Community Council
• Morvern Community Development Company
• Mull & Iona Ranger Service/Forestry Commission
• Mull Aquaculture & Fisheries Association/ Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers
• Mull & Iona Community Council
• Mull District Salmon Fisheries Board
• Mull Fishermen's Association
• Northern Lighthouse Charters
• Northern Lighthouse Board
• Royal Navy Operations (MOD)
• RSPB Scotland
• Scotchart
• Scottish Association for Marine Science
• Scottish Government/ Marine Scotland
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Scottish Sea Farms
• Sea Life Surveys
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
• Sound of Mull Transport Group
• The Crown Estate
• Tobermory Harbour Association
• West Ardnamurchan Community Council
• Western Isles Yacht Club

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