Hansard

The next question is, that motion S4M-12343, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the national marine plan, as amended twice, be agreed to.

Motion, as amended, agreed to,

That the Parliament notes that the draft National Marine Plan sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for the sustainable development of Scotland’s seas; further notes that the general policies in the draft plan provide an important framework to deliver the sustainable development of Scotland’s seas and are a crucial part of the process toward their better management at both regional and national level; recognises the consultation and engagement process that has led to widespread stakeholder buy-in; hopes that the Scottish Government will respond favourably to the recent Rural, Climate Change and Environment Committee report to the Parliament; notes the importance of enhancing, in addition to recovering and protecting, the health of Scotland’s seas; notes the concerns expressed by the Don’t take the P out of MPAs (marine protected areas) campaign; recognises the significant challenges posed by taking forward the delivery of the plan and the importance of ensuring that there is capacity at regional level to assess and monitor developments and their possible cumulative effects; recognises the value of the National Marine Plan Interactive in ensuring that the national plan and regional marine plans are living documents, but notes the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee’s concerns as raised in its recent report to the Parliament, and encourages the Scottish Government to recognise these concerns as the draft plan is taken forward.