Chamber
Plenary, 04 Feb 2010
04 Feb 2010 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Marine (Scotland) Bill
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 heels of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, the Marine (Scotland) Bill continues the process of securing the future wellbeing of the marine environment, which extends from the Scottish coastline to 12 miles beyond.
My involvement with the passage of the bill has been minimal, but I am aware of the enormous effort that has gone into it, not least the effort of the members and clerks of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee and the many organisations and individuals who have made their opinions known to us and have contributed to the various stages of the bill's progress through Parliament. All who have been involved are to be commended for bringing the bill to the point at which it can finally be approved by Parliament, undoubtedly strengthened and improved by the parliamentary process. Hopefully, once the bill becomes part of the law of the land, it will prove to be fit for purpose and will result in the development of a sustainable future for our marine environment.
There are many competing demands on our seas. As indicated in the policy memorandum, it has become important to find a means of managing the growing and competing demands for marine resources in order to maximise economic growth within sustainable environmental limits.
Scotland's marine environment is world class, but it is at risk of overexploitation, and the legislation that governs the competing activities has become overly complex and fragmented, so my party welcomes the Marine (Scotland) Bill, which should simplify legislation and reduce bureaucracy.
For a long time, the Conservatives have supported calls for an overarching strategic spatial plan for the marine environment and for the establishment of a devolved marine management organisation for Scottish waters, hence our support for Marine Scotland as a means of enabling the implementation of the provisions that are proposed in the bill.
If the diverse activities in the marine environment are to given fair treatment, marine planning is essential. Likewise, a network of protected areas will be essential to the conservation of marine biodiversity.
As the Wildlife Trusts' excellent "Living Seas" document indicates, after centuries of taking the sea's riches for granted and taking too much with too little care, the forthcoming Scottish legislation, coupled with the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the Northern Ireland legislation that should follow in 2012, presents an unprecedented opportunity to bring back our living seas, dramatically boosting protection for marine wildlife and improving the management of activities at sea.
The key areas of the legislation—joined-up planning of marine industry, leisure and conservation; improved arrangements for licensing industrial activity at sea; new authorities and powers to manage inshore fishing; a new network of marine protected areas; and management bodies, such as Marine Scotland, that will be charged with developing marine plans—should give us a unique opportunity to restore our marine biodiversity and secure its future while allowing the economic, industrial and recreational activities that we rely on the sea to support to progress in a sustainable way.
Not everyone will be happy with what has been achieved today, most notably those who wish for a total ban on killing seals. However, in this instance, I think that every effort has been made to strike a fair balance between the interests of the aquaculture industry and the welfare of seals. I hope that sufficient overall provision has been made in the interests of conservation to allow our seabirds and mammals and our fish and other marine creatures to survive and thrive far into the future.
As has been said, time will tell how effective the legislation will be in achieving all its intended results, and enforcing it will be key to securing real change. However, a good start has been made, and that has to be warmly welcomed.
My involvement with the passage of the bill has been minimal, but I am aware of the enormous effort that has gone into it, not least the effort of the members and clerks of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee and the many organisations and individuals who have made their opinions known to us and have contributed to the various stages of the bill's progress through Parliament. All who have been involved are to be commended for bringing the bill to the point at which it can finally be approved by Parliament, undoubtedly strengthened and improved by the parliamentary process. Hopefully, once the bill becomes part of the law of the land, it will prove to be fit for purpose and will result in the development of a sustainable future for our marine environment.
There are many competing demands on our seas. As indicated in the policy memorandum, it has become important to find a means of managing the growing and competing demands for marine resources in order to maximise economic growth within sustainable environmental limits.
Scotland's marine environment is world class, but it is at risk of overexploitation, and the legislation that governs the competing activities has become overly complex and fragmented, so my party welcomes the Marine (Scotland) Bill, which should simplify legislation and reduce bureaucracy.
For a long time, the Conservatives have supported calls for an overarching strategic spatial plan for the marine environment and for the establishment of a devolved marine management organisation for Scottish waters, hence our support for Marine Scotland as a means of enabling the implementation of the provisions that are proposed in the bill.
If the diverse activities in the marine environment are to given fair treatment, marine planning is essential. Likewise, a network of protected areas will be essential to the conservation of marine biodiversity.
As the Wildlife Trusts' excellent "Living Seas" document indicates, after centuries of taking the sea's riches for granted and taking too much with too little care, the forthcoming Scottish legislation, coupled with the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the Northern Ireland legislation that should follow in 2012, presents an unprecedented opportunity to bring back our living seas, dramatically boosting protection for marine wildlife and improving the management of activities at sea.
The key areas of the legislation—joined-up planning of marine industry, leisure and conservation; improved arrangements for licensing industrial activity at sea; new authorities and powers to manage inshore fishing; a new network of marine protected areas; and management bodies, such as Marine Scotland, that will be charged with developing marine plans—should give us a unique opportunity to restore our marine biodiversity and secure its future while allowing the economic, industrial and recreational activities that we rely on the sea to support to progress in a sustainable way.
Not everyone will be happy with what has been achieved today, most notably those who wish for a total ban on killing seals. However, in this instance, I think that every effort has been made to strike a fair balance between the interests of the aquaculture industry and the welfare of seals. I hope that sufficient overall provision has been made in the interests of conservation to allow our seabirds and mammals and our fish and other marine creatures to survive and thrive far into the future.
As has been said, time will tell how effective the legislation will be in achieving all its intended results, and enforcing it will be key to securing real change. However, a good start has been made, and that has to be warmly welcomed.
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...