Scottish Ministers have committed to delivering fisheries management measures for existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where these are not already in place and key biodiversity locations outwith the MPA network. This is in line with the Scottish Government's vision for the marine environment, for clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas; managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people.
This consultation is seeking views and comments on fisheries management options for 166 protected sites and areas in the inshore marine region. These include Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protected Areas (SPAs), and proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas.
For simplicity, the term MPA is used to collectively refer to these Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs); Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). MPAs will also be referred to as "sites"and proposed PMF management areas as "areas"
Read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
The Scottish Government is committed to realising our vision of the marine environment being clean, healthy, safe, productive, diverse and managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people. Your responses will help to shape and inform how we do this.
Respondents should consider the information provided alongside any other knowledge or personal experiences that could be relevant. All opinions are welcome.
You are invited to answer all the questions. You can choose to answer as few or as many questions as you want.
Questions are asked about each site and area and the options for fisheries management measures being proposed for consultation.
There are also questions about specific documents, these are:
- Sustainability Appraisal (SA);
- Strategic Environmental Report (SEA);
- Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA);
- Social Impacts Research Report;
- Draft Fisheries Assessment Methodology and Draft Fisheries Assessments;
- Partial Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) and
- Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA).