Scotland’s first National Marine plan sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for the sustainable development and use of the marine environment.
The plan will ensure sustainable economic growth of a range of marine industries and protect and enhance the marine environment. It will set out policies including economic, social, climate change and marine ecosystem objectives. It was published by Environment Minister Richard Lochhead.
The National Marine Plan will cover all of Scotland’s sea out to 200 nautical miles and will apply to the exercise of devolved and reserved functions. It balances the development of established industries such as oil and gas and fishing with emerging sectors such as marine renewables and carbon capture and storage. It also ensures the environment itself is protected and enhanced where possible.
The plan includes policies for the sustainable growth of fishing, aquaculture, salmon and migratory fish, oil and gas, carbon capture and storage, offshore wind and marine renewable energy, recreation and tourism, shipping, ports, harbours and ferries, submarine cables, defence, aggregates.
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