Pre-consultation: National Marine Plan for Scotland

17 March 2011

The Marine (Scotland) Act requires the Scottish Government to prepare and adopt a National Marine Plan, followed by regional marine plans. The plan will have to take into account the competing demands of the use of the sea whilst protecting the marine environment.

The pre-consultation Draft National Marine Plan sets out policies for the sustainable development of Scotland's seas and includes economic, social and marine ecosystems objectives. The plan also introduces key challenges of marine sectors and the objectives needed to deliver these based on an integrated approach.

The Draft national Marine Plan is available from the Scottish Government's website here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/16142627/0

Comments on the plan are requested by 7 June 2011.