Chamber
Plenary, 04 Feb 2010
04 Feb 2010 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Marine (Scotland) Bill
We are about to pass our first Scottish marine bill and it has been a long time in coming. It is not quite the bill that Green ministers would have written—many opportunities have been missed or passed by—but, that said, the bill has been improved by the passing of a number of amendments, including Green amendments, and many positive ministerial commitments have been gained, in the generous spirit that the cabinet secretary promised in his opening remarks.
However, the bill is framework legislation so, just like with the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, the hard work starts after 5 o'clock today, when we begin to put it into action. I congratulate the cabinet secretary on the commitments that he made in his speech, especially his commitment that his approach will be driven by science and scientific evidence. We must invest more in scientific research and ensure that proper funding is available for monitoring and enforcement of the bill's provisions. Without that, the bill will be in danger of failing; with it, the returns on the investment could be tremendous.
There is pressure on all the political parties to make commitments in their manifestos to taking forward the issues after 2011. The momentum must be maintained. All successive Governments must not only conserve our marine environment, but actively enhance it using the full extent of the possibilities that present themselves.
I welcome Bill Wilson's speech and the minister's commitment to the benthic environment. The minister mentioned fanshells. We must recognise that the most important organisms in the marine environment are not the predators at the top of the food chain—dolphins, whales and seals, for example—or even the mid-sea fish; rather, they are phtyoplankton, zooplankton and the thousands of species of bottom-living organisms. There is a prime example of what can happen right on our doorstep: the Forth. The collapse of the Forth oyster fishery is the most spectacular example from our history of what can happen. In 1800, some 30 million oysters a year were harvested; by 1880, the fishery had collapsed. That was entirely due to overfishing. The Forth is just beginning to show a spark of recovery after decades of lying completely fallow. If they are given the right support and protection, ecosystems can recover. The experiences of Lundy island down south and other places around the world, particularly in New Zealand, where no-take zones have been set up, prove that.
I would like the legislation to deliver a programme for the creation of an ecologically coherent network of MPAs, which should be in place within a year. The first of the MPAs should be in place within two years. A plan of enhancement could include a rolling programme of designations, and consideration should be given to the idea that all MPAs should contain at least one no-take zone, however small that may be. After the legislation receives royal assent, there must be robust policing and enforcement of it and the designated areas that it will create, and the potentially positive relationships between environmental protection, harvestable biomass enhancement and marine renewables should be investigated. That has already been mentioned in at least two speeches. Further action should be taken against the random shooting of seals, and advantage should be taken of the huge possibilities that are afforded by the new closed rearing system for salmon farming that is being trialled in Norway. That system is sea lice and seal proof and will obviate the need for any seals at all to be shot. I hope that we employ it in Scotland.
Furthermore, the urgent deployment of the new and effective cetacean-friendly acoustic seal deterrent on all Scottish fish farms should make the shooting of seals a thing of the past. Will the cabinet secretary consider sponsoring that development as soon as possible? Science must guide us and good practice must inform us. That will pay huge dividends even in the short term.
The Marine (Scotland) Bill must be seen as a bill that has been designed to begin to guide us in the long run. I congratulate the cabinet secretary and everybody who has worked on it. What we need now is vision, will and execution. Let us hope that they will all be there.
However, the bill is framework legislation so, just like with the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, the hard work starts after 5 o'clock today, when we begin to put it into action. I congratulate the cabinet secretary on the commitments that he made in his speech, especially his commitment that his approach will be driven by science and scientific evidence. We must invest more in scientific research and ensure that proper funding is available for monitoring and enforcement of the bill's provisions. Without that, the bill will be in danger of failing; with it, the returns on the investment could be tremendous.
There is pressure on all the political parties to make commitments in their manifestos to taking forward the issues after 2011. The momentum must be maintained. All successive Governments must not only conserve our marine environment, but actively enhance it using the full extent of the possibilities that present themselves.
I welcome Bill Wilson's speech and the minister's commitment to the benthic environment. The minister mentioned fanshells. We must recognise that the most important organisms in the marine environment are not the predators at the top of the food chain—dolphins, whales and seals, for example—or even the mid-sea fish; rather, they are phtyoplankton, zooplankton and the thousands of species of bottom-living organisms. There is a prime example of what can happen right on our doorstep: the Forth. The collapse of the Forth oyster fishery is the most spectacular example from our history of what can happen. In 1800, some 30 million oysters a year were harvested; by 1880, the fishery had collapsed. That was entirely due to overfishing. The Forth is just beginning to show a spark of recovery after decades of lying completely fallow. If they are given the right support and protection, ecosystems can recover. The experiences of Lundy island down south and other places around the world, particularly in New Zealand, where no-take zones have been set up, prove that.
I would like the legislation to deliver a programme for the creation of an ecologically coherent network of MPAs, which should be in place within a year. The first of the MPAs should be in place within two years. A plan of enhancement could include a rolling programme of designations, and consideration should be given to the idea that all MPAs should contain at least one no-take zone, however small that may be. After the legislation receives royal assent, there must be robust policing and enforcement of it and the designated areas that it will create, and the potentially positive relationships between environmental protection, harvestable biomass enhancement and marine renewables should be investigated. That has already been mentioned in at least two speeches. Further action should be taken against the random shooting of seals, and advantage should be taken of the huge possibilities that are afforded by the new closed rearing system for salmon farming that is being trialled in Norway. That system is sea lice and seal proof and will obviate the need for any seals at all to be shot. I hope that we employ it in Scotland.
Furthermore, the urgent deployment of the new and effective cetacean-friendly acoustic seal deterrent on all Scottish fish farms should make the shooting of seals a thing of the past. Will the cabinet secretary consider sponsoring that development as soon as possible? Science must guide us and good practice must inform us. That will pay huge dividends even in the short term.
The Marine (Scotland) Bill must be seen as a bill that has been designed to begin to guide us in the long run. I congratulate the cabinet secretary and everybody who has worked on it. What we need now is vision, will and execution. Let us hope that they will all be there.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-5559, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the Marine (Scotland) Bill.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead):
SNP
I am delighted to open the debate on Scotland's first ever marine bill. This is truly a historic day for Scotland, our seas and the people of Scotland who wa...
Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
Robin Harper made a point about haul-out sites, which Elaine Murray picked up on when summing up on the group of amendments in question. Elaine Murray referr...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I am happy to put it on record that we will work with all the relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate guidance is in place on the identification of h...
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
The Marine (Scotland) Bill is vital and its significance should not be underestimated. The marine area is essential to biodiversity, to food supply, to energ...
John Scott (Ayr) (Con):
Con
I begin, like others, by thanking all those who have contributed to the creation of the Marine (Scotland) Bill. In particular, I thank our clerks, who have w...
Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD):
LD
This day has been a long time coming. Our bill has enjoyed a lengthy gestation, but it is important that it has throughout that period enjoyed widespread sup...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We move to the open debate. If members stick to their time limits, we will get everyone in.
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I am delighted that the Marine (Scotland) Bill is well on its way to success. Indeed, I might venture to say that nobody examining the bill could accuse the ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Wind up, please.
Bill Wilson:
SNP
Understood.I hope that the cabinet secretary will consider that suggestion when he comes to consider the definition of the "health" of the seas.
Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab):
Lab
I am delighted to be able to participate in this, the final stage of the Marine (Scotland) Bill. Its long process, which began in the previous parliamentary ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Wind up, please.
Karen Gillon:
Lab
Finally, I welcome the progress that has been made on the emotive issue of seals. I think that at stage 3 we have managed to get the balance right and, in ti...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
We are about to pass our first Scottish marine bill and it has been a long time in coming. It is not quite the bill that Green ministers would have written—m...
Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
This is a watershed moment in the management of our marine environment. For too many generations, what was out of sight in a large part of our marine environ...
Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD):
LD
The Liberal Democrats welcome the Marine (Scotland) Bill, which will create a framework for the management of Scotland's seas. We have had a constructive deb...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I am delighted that this long-awaited and extremely important bill has reached the final stages of its passage through Parliament. Following close on the hee...
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab):
Lab
I agree with colleagues that the bill is landmark legislation. It has been a long time in coming, and a tremendous amount of work has been done not only by m...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I thank all members for their contribution to the debate on the bill. There have been many positive contributions; we have heard members speak of their pride...
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
Order. Members who are talking are missing a fascinating geographical talk.
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
There is also spectacular marine wildlife off the coast of Galloway and Upper Nithsdale.As we know, marine wildlife tourism is another opportunity that Scotl...