Chamber and committees

The disposal of litter and fishing gear at sea is covered by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Regulations. In UK waters these are enforced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate Compliance Officers report incidents through our intelligence system to the MCA and periodically remind vessels of their obligations under MARPOL.

The Scottish Government published the updated Marine Litter Strategy and Action Plan in 2022, aiming to address the amount of litter entering the marine environment, to achieve ecological, economic and social benefits. The strategy steers our work up to 2027 and co-ordinates the efforts of our stakeholders and partners, working at a national and international level to help prevent and remove marine litter.

On prevention of marine litter caused by the improper disposal of end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear, we contributed to the work of the European Committee for Standardisation to improve the recycling potential of fishing and aquaculture gear, with a standard for circular design of gear published in November 2024. This standard also helps us as we continue to work across the four nations and industry to develop improved waste management systems for end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear to reduce litter and improve recycling rates, contributing to our circular economy.

On removal of marine litter caused by the improper disposal of end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear, we continue to fund the KIMO Fishing for Litter scheme. 400 vessels currently participate in Scotland, returning to harbour litter that is passively caught at sea during fishing operations, which includes fishing and aquaculture gear. The initiative also provides education to support better waste management practices onboard vessels.

Marine Fund Scotland has been available to our delivery partners and external stakeholders for projects that support the delivery of the strategy. Successful applications have supported investment in fishing and aquaculture gear recycling equipment, local community litter removal activities, and marine litter education projects.

The Scottish Government published the updated Marine Litter Strategy and Action Plan in 2022, aiming to address the amount of litter entering the marine environment, to achieve ecological, economic and social benefits. The strategy steers our work up to 2027 and co-ordinates the efforts of our stakeholders and partners, working at a national and international level to help prevent and remove marine litter.

On prevention, we are working across the four nations to put an end to pollution caused by wet wipes containing plastic, with legislation forthcoming. To further our efforts in tackling sewage-related debris, Scottish Water, our delivery partner, has installed more than 1000 new sewer monitors across its waste water system as part of a major programme of investment to transform its network and improve Scotland’s water environment. We contributed to the work of the European Committee for Standardisation to improve the recycling potential of fishing and aquaculture gear, with a standard for circular design of gear published in November 2024. This standard also helps us as we continue to work across the four nations and industry to develop improved waste management systems for end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear to reduce litter and improve recycling rates, contributing to our circular economy. Our work is not limited to macro litter, and we continue to work internationally to prevent pollution from microplastic pellets, which can be found on our beaches and risk the health of our marine wildlife.

On removal, we continue to fund the work of Local Coastal Partnerships, organisations that support and co-ordinate beach cleans and local community engagement. We fund litter removal offshore through the KIMO Fishing for Litter scheme, with 400 vessels now participating in Scotland, and removal at our rivers with the Keep Scotland Beautiful Upstream Battle project, removing litter that could otherwise travel downstream and ultimately reach our seas and beaches.

Marine Fund Scotland has been available to our delivery partners and external stakeholders for projects that support the delivery of the strategy. Successful applications have supported local community litter removal activities, marine litter education projects, and investment in fishing and aquaculture gear recycling equipment.

Scottish Ministers are currently considering all the available evidence, including on technology use. An announcement will be made once Ministers have reached a final decision.

The Scottish Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network Report to Parliament 2024 was laid in Parliament on 19 December 2024 (reference SG/2024/306), meeting the requirements of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

The report has also been published online: Marine Protected Area Network - 2024 Report to the Scottish Parliament.

The consultation on Regulation and Licensing of Non-surgical cosmetic procedures will be published tomorrow, 20 December 2024 at 10:00. I would encourage members of the public to respond to the consultation, to help us to prepare regulations for non-surgical cosmetic procedures that are proportionate, robust and future-proofed. The consultation will close on 14 February 2025.

Scottish Government is aware the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is considering amendments around its call centre service to align with plans for wider organisational transformation. SEPA has not raised any emerging risk, or issue with significant implications for its operation or governance with regards to changes to the 24-hour call centre.

Scottish Government is not aware of any other proposal to alter out-of-hours contact services, nor has information been provided to Ministers from any other public body.

Ministers would not routinely be informed of changes to contact services as this would be an operational matter for the body concerned, based on evaluation of the service, customer demand/experience and evolving automation of communication channels such as the use of bots and Artificial Intelligence.

Shipping safety is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for establishing maritime safety protocol and legislation, including in response to specific incidents, working in partnership with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Transport Scotland are standing members of the Port Marine Safety Code Steering Group. The aim of the Group is to facilitate regular meetings and other information sharing opportunities between port authorities, related maritime industries operating within ports, and government, including the devolved administrations, in order to share best practice and discuss developments such as the application of new legislation which may have a bearing on the content of the Port Marine Safety Code and the way in which it is applied at ports.

The Scottish Government expects the highest shipping safety and crew welfare standards, and for these to be applied in the case of those vessels and crews accessing Scotland’s waters.

ScotRail adjusted its proposals in the light of feedback received in the 2022 consultation. The Scottish Government’s agreement to ScotRail proposals to adjust opening hours of some of its ticket offices is predicated on the condition that disabled travellers’ access to services will not be affected by these proposals.

The SPCB has a policy covering the flying of flags on the flagpoles outside Holyrood - Flag-flying | Scottish Parliament Website.  The policy sets out which flags are flown and how exceptional requests can be made to the SPCB for approval. 

During official visits by external dignitaries, a flag can be displayed inside the building, usually in a meeting room or event space, for the duration of their visit.