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Proposals in Sustainable Seas for All: A consultation on Scotland’s First Marine Bill include improved conservation for Scotland’s unique marine wildlife, a new marine planning system and a streamlined licensing system to encourage economic investment in areas like renewable energy, measures to ensure a viable future for marine industries and the creation of Marine Scotland combining the efforts of existing bodies to act as champion for Scotland’s seas.

Launching the consultation at the Storehouse of Foulis, near Inverness, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "Scotland's seas are special. In the 21st century, we need to ensure that we have arrangements in place to provide a sustainable future for our marine environment and the many industries that depend on productive and healthy seas.

"Striking the right balance between the long-term viability and growth of all these industries and the enhanced protection of our special marine environment is at the heart of our proposed Bill.

"We need a new relationship with the seas to safeguard this unique and precious resource for future generations. With increasing and competing demands being made on our seas it is time to modernise and streamline the management of our marine environment.

"By introducing Scotland's first Marine Bill we hope to do just that. I would like to encourage everyone in Scotland who has an interest in our seas to give their view on the proposals I have set out today. That will in turn help us produce legislation that will secure and protect our seas for generations to come.”

Get involved

You can download the Sustainable Seas for All consultation document, which includes a list of consultation questions, from our library now. You can respond to the consultation until 6th October 2008 by email, post or by completing an online electronic response form.

You don’t have to answer all the questions. You are free to answer just a few or the ones that relate to your area of expertise. You can find more information on how to respond on the Scottish Government website.

If you have any queries about the consultation email marinebill@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or call Damon Hewlett on 0131 244 0381.

What do you think?

What do you think about the Scottish Government’s proposals for the Marine Bill? Do you think they strike the right balance between economic growth and conservation? And what are your thoughts on marine renewable energy? You can give us your views by adding a comment to this article.

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