Tide of calls for new sea powers

There are calls for marine powers to be devolved

More marine powers for Scotland's sea and coastal communities are being called for by the Scottish Government.

The UK Government is set to publish its draft Marine Bill, designed to better manage the seas around the UK.

Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has called for discussions on who rules Scotland's seas.

The Scottish Parliament has already backed demands for control of the marine environment beyond 12 nautical miles offshore to be devolved.

Last week MSPs gave support for the idea of a general reform of the 85 pieces of legislation that currently form the law of the sea.

The Scottish Government is bringing forward its own marine bill.

Mr Lochhead said: "Anyone who cares about our precious marine environment will be delighted that governments north and south of the border are preparing improved management of our seas.

It must not presume that issues such as nature conservation and planning beyond 12 nautical miles be reserved to Westminster Richard Lochhead Environment Secretary

"However, we are profoundly disappointed that the UK Government has not used the opportunity to accept the case for any new powers relating to devolved matters and offshore marine conservation measures to be part of the Scottish Marine Bill rather than the UK's.

"We currently have a cluttered and complex marine management system in Scotland with far too many pieces of legislation regulating Scotland's waters."

Mr Lochhead said the Scottish Parliament had overwhelmingly united behind Scotland having more responsibilities over the marine environment.

He said reclaiming control over Scotland's seas would help safeguard their future and of the coastal communities whom depended on them.

He added: "The UK Marine Bill must take account the distinctive marine environment of the seas around Scotland.

"It must not presume that issues such as nature conservation and planning beyond 12 nautical miles be reserved to Westminster.

"This would be arbitrary and artificial and would diminish the extent to which Scottish Ministers can safeguard the future of Scotland's seas".

Task force

Lloyd Austin, head of conservation policy with RSPB Scotland, said the organisation welcomed new legislation.

He said: "We're glad that marine legislation is firmly on the political agenda all over the UK.

"In Scotland especially, we have an incredibly rich marine environment, supporting 45% of the EU's breeding seabirds, a host of other marine life as well as many people's livelihoods.

"Our seas need greater protection, and as a member of the Scottish Government's Sustainable Seas Task Force, we call for Holyrood and Westminster to make sure that the bills complement each other to regulate marine planning, conservation and sea fisheries."

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