Question reference: S6W-04517
- Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 17 November 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 December 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure that there is a coordinated, fair and equitable planning system for the marine environment.
Answer
The Scottish Government published the National Marine Plan in 2015, which sets out the marine planning and policy framework for Scottish inshore waters (out to 12 nautical miles) and offshore waters (12 to 200 nautical miles). This plan was delivered in accordance with the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, an Act of the Scottish Parliament, and by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, an Act of the UK Parliament, respectively.
The Scottish Government undertakes regular reviews of the National Marine Plan. The most recent review was published in March 2021. Additionally, the Scottish Government carries out sectoral marine planning and supports Marine Planning Partnerships to undertake marine planning at a regional level, allowing more local ownership and decision making about specific issues within their area. All of these planning processes are subject to plan-level strategic assessments to ensure impacts are fairly measured and assessed.