Wednesday 9 April 2008
FIRST CONSULTATION HELD ON SHETLAND MARINE PLANNING INITIATIVE
The first of a number of sessions to enable organisations and individuals to have their say on a new initiative aimed at informing future marine developments took place today (Wednesday 9 April) at the NAFC Marine Centre.
Industry representatives from Shetland’s aquaculture industry gathered to comment on the Shetland Marine Spatial Plan, which, it is hoped, will improve Shetland’s marine planning system.
The Plan is one of four pilot projects falling under the umbrella of the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI). SSMEI was initiated by the Scottish Government to inform future marine policy and test new management framework options for Scotland’s marine and coastal environment.
Dr Lorraine Gray of the NAFC Marine Centre is Shetland’s project officer and she is keen to ensure that everyone with a vested interest in marine management can make their contribution on whether the initiative helps to add value to the current planning regimes and safeguard the islands’ cultural and natural assets.
Dr Gray said: “Marine spatial planning is a tool to guide the placement of developments such as new fish farms, piers and marinas and considers sites for offshore wind farms or tidal or wave generators. It gives developers greater certainty in predicting if their proposal is likely to be acceptable to the current planning regime.
“It’s not a new concept as it is already well developed in countries such as Norway and Canada. The outcome of the Shetland project will be evaluated and considered by the Government when it considers a new Scottish Marine Bill.
“Our aim is to improve the current planning regime and make the process more streamlined and integrated. We would urge developers to consult the Plan before they submit an application for planning permission or a works licence to see what activities are present in an area that could result in possible objections. This could help save both time and money.”
The Marine Spatial Plan for Shetland consists of two documents – a policy framework and a marine atlas containing maps to help guide decision makers to make informed judgements. These maps show: activities such as fin fish and shellfish farming intensity, recreation and tourism at sea, and coastal archaeology; statutory constraints such as protected shipwrecks, pipelines and cables and nature conservation designated areas; and advisory constraints such as important seabed habitats, important shore species and habitats, and the most frequent sightings of whales and dolphins.
Martin Holmes, Shetland’s coastal zone manager, added: “Our work brings together existing data from relevant organisations and bodies into one central accessible resource. It outlines what developers already have to comply with and also what might arise when applying for planning permission or a works licence. Potential issues can then be identified at an early stage and alternative plans proposed. We hope that our plan will also be an asset from a regulator’s point of view.
“We want to give all people with an interest in the Plan the opportunity to ask questions now that the documents are in circulation. Today is the first of a number of planned focus groups aimed at different sectors of the local population that will use the Plan. We have also been attending Community Council meetings since the consultation began in February to speak directly to members of the public.”
As to the future? Dr Gray continued: “The consultation period ends on 16 May when all responses will be considered and any necessary changes made to the documents. The final plan will be prepared by late summer. We are also considering area-specific spatial plans and are in the process of building on the knowledge of seabed habitat distribution for the 12-mile zone around Shetland, which we hope will all help to develop a framework for a sustainable sea.
“We want the Plan to be a living document that is continually updated. Both the public and users’ views are extremely important to us and we are very keen to hear comments from anyone with an interest in marine and coastal issues and the local environment to help inform the final report that will be submitted to the Scottish Government.”
Notes to editor:
The documents, which together make up the consultation package, can be downloaded at www.nafc.ac.uk and are also available at the Shetland Library.
Further information from:
Lorraine Gray, SSMEI Project Officer, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772332
Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465 or email