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Bill to protect marine wildlife Bill to protect marine wildlife
(9 minutes later)
Proposed new laws to protect Scotland's marine life while safeguarding offshore jobs are being unveiled by ministers.Proposed new laws to protect Scotland's marine life while safeguarding offshore jobs are being unveiled by ministers.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said current legislation needed to be simplified, while ensuring the marine environment had a sustainable future.Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said current legislation needed to be simplified, while ensuring the marine environment had a sustainable future.
The Scottish Government's Marine Bill is likely to combine existing bodies into one - Marine Scotland. The Scottish Government's Marine Bill will also provide increased protection for seals, under a new licence system.
The legislation would also set up a new marine planning system in an attempt to encourage renewable energy development.The legislation would also set up a new marine planning system in an attempt to encourage renewable energy development.
The legislation is also expected to provide increased protection for seals, while some fisheries and fish farms could be allowed to manage their local seal populations under licence. Mr Lochhead said the bill was an "exciting milestone", adding: "Our seas support tens of thousands of jobs, generate billions of pounds for our economy, put food on our tables and are set to play an increasing role in powering our nation through wind and wave power."
Groups representing various interests from wildlife and birds to the fishing industry were consulted as the bill was drafted.
'Good opportunity''Good opportunity'
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said there was a need to balance the interests of the fishing industry with those of conservation and renewable energy. He went on: "We have listened and are now responding to demand for change by delivering a bill that will make the most of Scotland's unique coastal and marine environment without spoiling one of our most prized treasures.
"It is absolutely essential that fishing has a proper place in marine planning with the primary objectives of ensuring a profitable, sustainable industry that makes the best of a valuable and renewable resource off our coasts," he said. "It will create a simpler regulatory system for the marine environment and allow greater local participation in marine and coastal matters."
Mr Lochhead added: "Scotland holds a quarter of Europe's total tidal and offshore wind resource and 10% of its potential in wave power, while its seas generate more than £2.2bn for the Scottish economy."
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said: "It is absolutely essential that fishing has a proper place in marine planning with the primary objectives of ensuring a profitable, sustainable industry that makes the best of a valuable and renewable resource off our coasts.
"If this is properly recognised in the legislation, then a good opportunity will not have been missed.""If this is properly recognised in the legislation, then a good opportunity will not have been missed."