National marine planning
Marine planning in Scotland’s waters (to 200 nautical miles) is governed by:
- the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (Scottish Parliament Act) - inshore waters (out to 12 nautical miles)
- the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (UK Parliament Act) - offshore waters (12 to 200 nautical miles)
The two Acts, referred to as the ‘Marine Acts’, set out the requirements for marine planning. Marine planning can be a powerful tool for managing the developments affecting our seas by bringing together different interests so that decisions about what goes where in our seas can continue to benefit future generations.
Developing the National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2)
Background
Scotland’s first National Marine Plan (NMP) was adopted and published in March 2015, setting out our vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas, managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people.
Since its adoption the NMP has been reviewed every three years, in line with statutory requirements, to monitor and report on:
- the effects of the plan’s policies
- the effectiveness of those policies in securing the plan’s objectives
- its progress in securing its objectives
- other relevant matters
The statutory reviews carried out in 2018 and 2021 found that the existing plan did not adequately reflect current policy and legislation evolution, or emerging issues, including increased competition for space or the twin climate and biodiversity crises.
The 2024 review maintained that the adopted NMP remained fit for purpose as an effective policy framework against which decisions in the marine environment could be based. However it also identified potential opportunities for a new marine plan to improve on the existing policy and implementation.
Stakeholder engagement
Since deciding to create a new plan, the National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2), we've worked closely with marine stakeholders to develop it. Involving stakeholders throughout has been essential to designing a plan that benefits not just individual sectors, but everyone who lives near, depends on, or visits our seas.
Our vision for this engagement is that everyone who uses, depends on, or has an interest in Scotland's seas gets the chance to help shape decisions about our marine space, and comes to see the National Marine Plan as a key resource for guiding those decisions.
You can read more in our stakeholder engagement strategy (August 2024).
NMP2 planning position statement (PPS)
We published our planning position statement (PPS) in November 2024 after public consultation. It sets out our draft high-level objectives, policy ideas, and the early work behind NMP2.
We published our analysis of that consultation in August 2025. It summarises feedback from marine sector stakeholders, focusing on areas where views differed.
Next steps
We're continuing to develop policy and carry out statutory assessments for NMP2, supported by ongoing engagement, both internally and externally. The NMP2 Steering Group, which includes representatives from across the marine sectors nationally, is helping assess the plan's potential impact on the marine environment, marine sectors and communities.
NMP2 will not replace or remove any existing regulations or legal requirements. It will continue to guide regional and sector-specific marine planning, and provide the framework for licensing and consenting decisions in marine sectors. NMP2 will work alongside its land-based equivalent, National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), so that together they set out a clear, joined-up vision for developing Scotland's land and seas.
Background
- National Marine Plan - key documents
- Planning Circular 1/2015
- National Marine Plan Review 2018: three-year report
- National Marine Plan Review 2021: three-year report
- National Marine Plan Review 2024: three year report