10 Oct 2023
Scotland’s National Marine Plan (NMP) was published in 2015 and following statutory reviews on the current plan, last year Scottish Ministers committed to update and replace the NMP (NMP2). The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 requires that a sustainability appraisal is undertaken to assess the impact of the proposed policies within the National Marine […]
22 Aug 2023
Proposals to introduce electronic tracking and monitoring technology for small fishing vessels will be consulted on as part of package of new fisheries measures, the Scottish Government has announced. The consultation proposes that vessel tracking devices will be required by Scottish commercial fishing vessels under 12 metres in length wherever they operate, and by all […]
25 Jul 2023
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in all Scottish waters to ensure the sustainability of the sandeel stock, as well as providing wider ecosystem benefits. In a letter to stakeholders the Scottish Government said: ‘Given the importance of sandeel to the wider ecosystem and the subsequent benefit […]
04 Jul 2023
Proposals for a series of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA) have been scrapped, the Scottish Government has confirmed. Proposals had previously been put forward to create HPMAs in at least 10% of Scotland’s waters – which would have restricted fishing and other activities. Plans to deliver increased protection for Scotland’s marine environment will be revised, […]
27 Jun 2023
A decision taken by Marine Scotland last year to vary sea fishing licences for vessels using methods believed to be harmful to marine life has been branded unlawful by a judge. The Court of Session in Scotland has ruled that the Scottish Government’s current approach to licencing of scallop dredging, and bottom-trawling is “unlawful”. Lord […]
27 Jun 2023
A man sailing a yacht in the North Sea near Scotland’s Shetland Islands said that an orca repeatedly rammed into his boat, exhibiting behaviour that’s been recently seen in killer whales farther south. This is the same behaviour that has been seen in the Iberian orca population, but it is the first time it has been known […]
14 Jun 2023
SEPA has raised the risk of water scarcity around the Loch Maree area in the Highlands to Significant, the highest level available. Two areas are also now at moderate scarcity – the Ness area in the Highlands and the Esk area of Dumfriesshire. The risk of water scarcity in the Loch Maree area of the […]
13 Jun 2023
From NatureScot: A trailblazing marine environment fund – designed to help ensure Scotland’s coasts and seas are healthy, productive and nature-rich – is already having a great impact, after its first two years saw over £3.2m in funding distributed to 45 projects. Examples of the projects funded around Scotland include improving the ability to rescue […]
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