Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 19 February 2015
19 Feb 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Marine Plan
Unfortunately, the marine plan does not usurp the common fisheries policy. However, it is certainly the Scottish Government’s policy position to pursue a level playing field in Scottish waters. We are making that point strongly to the UK Government, so that fishermen fishing side by side are subject to the same rules and regimes.
The plan is about delivering sustainable development and, through an ecosystem approach, achieving our vision for seas that are clean and safe, healthy and biologically diverse, productive and managed to meet the long-term needs of nature and people. The sea provides a range of goods, from fertilisers to pharmaceuticals, as well as critical services, such as climate regulation and the breaking down of waste. There are many other benefits. Indeed, who can fail to value the feel-good factor of a simple walk along the shore, our pride in our nation’s maritime history and our culture and the inspiration that the sea brings to novelists, poets and film makers?
Sustainability means taking account of and reflecting all the benefits. We know that it is possible for the environment to thrive alongside developments. The plan seeks to ensure that that is always our approach and to create a framework in which development in our seas always stays within environmental limits.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The first item of business this afternoon is a debate on motion S4M-12343, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the national marine plan.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
I am pleased that we are able to debate Scotland’s first national marine plan, and I begin by thanking the stakeholders who have played an important part in ...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Is the minister aware of the concerns that many of the fishermen whom I represent have when they see, beyond the 12-mile limit in particular, fishing boats f...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
Unfortunately, the marine plan does not usurp the common fisheries policy. However, it is certainly the Scottish Government’s policy position to pursue a lev...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
On the minister’s point about development, has he come to a considered view on the burying of sea-bed cables, given that the fibre optic cable between Faroe,...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
As the marine plan lays out, and as was discussed with the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, although we are willing to review the wor...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Scottish Labour values the opportunity for additional scrutiny that this debate on the draft national marine plan brings. As the cabinet secretary has highl...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
No one from the Conservative Party or, I am sure, from any other party, would argue with the overall statement in the motion that “the general policies in t...
Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
The scrutiny of the national marine plan has raised quite a lot of criticisms from our committee. They are intended to say not, “This is not fit for purpose”...
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate on our national marine plan. The plan has been drafted to be consistent with the UK marine policy statement...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We have a little bit of time in hand if members wish to take interventions. 14:42
Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP)
SNP
Pivotal to successful delivery of the marine plan in both the national and local contexts will be the points that are covered in paragraph 43 of the Rural Af...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
It is possible that, if the marine plan had not been delayed so much—I understand the reasons for that delay—we would not be in the situation that we are now...
Graeme Dey
SNP
That is one point of view, but the fact is that a significant series of critical offshore developments are under threat because of that. Appropriate experti...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I start by agreeing with Graeme Dey’s point about the RNLI’s expertise. I absolutely share that view regarding the expertise in Lerwick and Aith in my consti...
Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, welcome the principle of the Scottish Government adopting a national marine plan to provide guidance to decision makers and users of Scotland’s marin...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Mr Thompson, can you move your microphone slightly more towards you? We are having difficulty in hearing you. Thank you.
Dave Thompson
SNP
I could shout, but I had better not. I take it that the volume is better now, Presiding Officer. I will start again so that you can hear the whole thrust of ...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
I apologise to the cabinet secretary for not being present for the beginning of his speech, but I am a member of the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing, which...
Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
I am glad that the cabinet secretary has, at the very outset, drawn attention to the on-going difficulty in the Sound of Mull with the Lysblink Seaway, which...
Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
I, too, welcome the national marine plan as a positive step towards effective marine spatial planning of the Scottish sea area. I acknowledge that, although ...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to close this important debate for the Scottish Conservatives. We have had some good and positive contributions from many members. As Alex Ferg...
Rob Gibson
SNP
What species does Jamie McGrigor think should be farmed on the north and east coasts of Scotland?
Jamie McGrigor
Con
I think that the industry is talking about farmed salmon. My constituents in Islay and Jura have expressed many concerns to me about the unacceptable delays...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Five years ago, we passed a hugely ambitious marine act. The marine plan, which follows it five years on, is crucial. As other members have said, the plan i...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I thank all members across the chamber for their contributions to the debate on Scotland’s first national marine plan, which has been many years in the makin...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
Does the cabinet secretary agree that enhancement is vital because some areas are denuded? Recovery is not enough for our marine environment, and that is hig...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
As Claudia Beamish knows, our approach is to encourage enhancement of the marine environment when possible, but we have to respect existing activities. Unles...
Sarah Boyack
Lab
One of the concerns that has been flagged up to us is about the detail of MPAs and the balance between protection and sustainable fisheries. Will the cabinet...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
As I have indicated previously, I am happy to look at that. If I have time, I just want to raise an issue that other members have mentioned. We need to en...