Marine protection measures
11 Nov 2014 03:51 PM
Consultation on management proposals.
Views are being sought on proposed measures to protect some of Scotland’s most important and fragile marine environments.
A 12 week public consultation has been launched about the Scottish Government’s new management proposals for 11 recently-designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and nine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in inshore waters.
The sites are home to a range of iconic and rare species including flameshell beds, feather stars and common skate and reefs and have been identified as having the highest priority for management measures.
As well as inviting responses on the Scottish Government website, a series of 14 drop-in events are being held around the country as part of the consultation.
Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“Scotland’s seas are a vast and vital natural resource and it is our duty to protect and enhance it for future generations.
“Through our network of MPAs, we have already identified which sites should be protected – now we want to hear views on the new management proposals.
“Our proposals for these 20 high priority sites have been developed following discussions with the fishing industry, environmental organisations and local authorities and are designed to ensure that the conservation objectives for each site are met, in line with expert advice from Scottish Natural Heritage.
“This consultation is an opportunity for anyone who is interested in the protection of our seas to express their views about our proposals, and we are keen to hear from as many people as possible.”
Background
The public consultation on statutory management measures for Inshore SACs and MPAs will run for twelve weeks from 11 November 2014 to 02 February 2015. It can be accessed via:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/MarineProtectedAreas
Scotland’s MPA network consist of MPAs, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protected Areas (SPAs) for wild birds and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the intertidal area.
Scottish Minister designated 30 Marine Protected Areas in July 2014 which aim to protect a range of important biodiversity features in our seas (http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/New-protection-for-Scotland-s-seas-f1e.aspx) while Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are designated under the EU Habitats Directive and include areas on land and in the sea and protect marine habitats and species such as seals and reefs.
A further consultation regarding proposed management measures for the other protected areas will be held in due course.
Details of the drop-in events are as follows:
LOCATION
|
VENUE
|
DATE OF DROP-IN EVENT
|
TIME
|
Wick
|
Town Hall
|
Tuesday 18th November
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Ullapool
|
MacPhail Centre
|
Wednesday 19th November
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Kyleakin
|
Kyleakin Village Hall
|
Thursday 20th November
|
3pm - 7.45pm
|
Mallaig
|
Mallaig & Morar Community Centre
|
Friday 21st November
|
1pm - 5.45pm
|
Arran
|
Whiting Bay Hall
|
Tuesday 25th November
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Ardrossan
|
Whitlees Community Centre
|
Wednesday 26th November
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Stranraer
|
Stranraer Library
|
Thursday 27th November
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Campbeltown
|
Aquilibrium
|
Tuesday 2nd December
|
3pm - 8.45pm
|
Inveraray
|
Glenaray & Inveraray Parish Church
|
Wednesday 3rd December
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Barra
|
Barra Learning Centre
|
Thursday 4th December
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Oban
|
Corran Halls
|
Wednesday 10th December
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Tobermory
|
Tobermory Harbour Exhibition
|
Thursday 11th December
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Kirkwall
|
Kirkwall Town Hall
|
Wednesday 17th December
|
3pm - 9pm
|
Stornoway
|
The Bayhead Bridge Centre
|
Thursday 18th December
|
3pm - 9pm
|