Marine environment
The Environment Committee of the Scottish Executive have published a fairly good report on the future structure of marine planning in Scotland.
Naturally, I would like to have seen it beefed-up a bit, but I think that it forms an excellent basis for future developments. The conclusion that caught my eye was number 7:
The Committee considers that the example of the regulation of proposed ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth illustrates that existing legislation is not adequate to govern the marine environment in a coherent way or to give important natural features adequate protection. The Committee considers that this reinforces the need for comprehensive reform of marine environment legislation to be taken forward by bills at both a UK and a Scottish level. The Committee recognises the value of establishing a coherent network of marine protected areas, and considers that this should be a significant objective of legislative reform. However, the Committee also considers that, given the likely timetable for establishing a coherent network, this should not prevent individual initiatives of value being taken forward in the meantime.
I therefore look forward to seeing local authorities having much more control over the seabed around their shores, and the Executive being able to prevent ship-to-ship transfers.
Naturally, I would like to have seen it beefed-up a bit, but I think that it forms an excellent basis for future developments. The conclusion that caught my eye was number 7:
The Committee considers that the example of the regulation of proposed ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth illustrates that existing legislation is not adequate to govern the marine environment in a coherent way or to give important natural features adequate protection. The Committee considers that this reinforces the need for comprehensive reform of marine environment legislation to be taken forward by bills at both a UK and a Scottish level. The Committee recognises the value of establishing a coherent network of marine protected areas, and considers that this should be a significant objective of legislative reform. However, the Committee also considers that, given the likely timetable for establishing a coherent network, this should not prevent individual initiatives of value being taken forward in the meantime.
I therefore look forward to seeing local authorities having much more control over the seabed around their shores, and the Executive being able to prevent ship-to-ship transfers.
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