Question reference: S5W-35915
- Asked by: Angus MacDonald, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 10 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce protection to the most vulnerable carbon storage ‘hotspots’, especially those found in sea lochs.
Answer
We are committed to protecting vulnerable marine habitats through our Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. Seventeen sea lochs are already protected through MPAs. The Scottish Blue Carbon Forum is currently conducting a multi-year research programme to further investigate blue carbon habitats, their role in carbon uptake and their vulnerabilities to human activities. The current evidence does not yet support the introduction of further measures to protect sediment hotpots however protection will be considered if research suggests it is necessary.
Additionally, work to protect blue carbon habitats such as maerl and seagrass is already underway. The Scottish Government is in the process of developing fisheries management measures for the most vulnerable Priority Marine Features outside of MPAs. This work was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We intend to resume the project as soon as it is safe to hold face-to-face stakeholder meetings again.