Question reference: S1W-00385
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 2 July 1999
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Current status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 9 August 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering designating the sea around Fair Isle as a Marine Special Protection Area, or creating a statutory exclusion 'one round the island into which vessels carrying ha'ardous cargoes may not sail.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has not yet received advice from its statutory nature conservation advisers on the identification of areas appropriate for classification as marine Special Protection Areas under the EC Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC. Maritime safety and related issues are reserved functions. The Scottish Executive is aware that guidance by the International Maritime Organisation sets out recommended routes in the Fair Isle Channel for ships carrying hazardous cargo. I understand that the UK Government keeps these matters under constant review, and that they are analysing the UK coastline with a view to consulting in due course about marine environmental high risk areas to help inform policy on protective measures such as routeing systems for ships.