Marine environment

This consultation proposes new priority actions to tackle marine litter in Scotland, building on the work already conducted through the original strategy. Responses to this consultation will inform the final updated Marine Litter Strategy and action plan before it is published.

Scotland's Climate Assembly published their full report on 23 June 2021. It included 81 recommendations for the Scottish Government, who had six months to respond. This response sets out the existing and proposed actions that government will take in order to address their recommendations.

Draft guidance for the implementation of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations). A final version will be produced before the Regulations come into force on 1 June 2022.

Net Revenues from the Scottish Crown Estate have been distributed to coastal Local Authorities for the benefit of coastal communities since 2019. This study was commissioned as part of the review process for the first two rounds of distribution of Scottish Crown Estate net revenues.

International collaborations to support our seas and oceans.

Our response to the recommendations in the Scottish Nephrops Working Group report of September 2021.

Since 2001, a specific area in the Firth of Clyde has been closed to fishing each year between 14 February and 30 April, in order to protect spawning cod. This consultation is seeking views on continuing this closure for 2022 and 2023.

Project sees fishers remove debris from the ocean

National Statistics publication that provides data on the tonnage and value of all landings of sea fish and shellfish by Scottish vessels, all landings into Scotland, the rest of the UK and abroad, and the size and structure of the Scottish fishing fleet and employment on Scottish vessels.

A commissioned research report on development of a new single high level biodiversity indicator covering marine and terrestrial (including freshwater) habitats to measure trends and replace the existing biodiversity indicator in the National Performance Framework.

Explains the changes made to marine legislation to ensure that the law remains operable and effective from 1 January 2021

This guidance document explains the changes made to the Habitats Regulations to ensure that the law remains operable and effective from 1 January 2021.

New sites to offer protection for iconic species. 

Summary of the analysis of responses submitted on the designation of the four possible Marine Protected Areas; North-east Lewis, Sea of the Hebrides, Shiant East Bank and Southern Trench.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of designating the Sea of Hebrides Marine Protected Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the Rum Special Protection Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the Coll and Tiree Special Protection Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the West Coast of Outer Hebrides Special Protection Area.

Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) of classifying the Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Loch (extension) Special Protection Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of designating the Shiant East Bank Marine Protected Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of designating the North-east Lewis Marine Protected Area.

Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) of classifying the Moray Firth Special Protection Area.

Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) of classifying the Seas off Foula Special Protection Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the seas off St Kilda Special Protection Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the Bluemull and Colgrave Sounds Special Protection Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the Outer Firth of Forth and St. Andrews Bay Complex Special Protection Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the Sound of Gigha SPA.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of designating the Southern Trench Marine Protected Area.

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the Solway Firth Special Protection Area.

This report, on the socio-economic impacts of MPAs, found that there had been localised positive and negative impacts on coastal communities and industries, linked to MPA management measures.

An experimental statistics publication by the Scottish Government.

Summary of the analysis of consultation responses submitted on the designation of a deep sea marine reserve, the West of Scotland possible Marine Protected Area. The consultation opened on the 27 September 2019 and closed on 31 December 2019.

£9.7 million of Scottish Crown Estate revenue to be distributed. 

BRIA relating to the first Scottish Crown Estate strategic management plan.

CRWIA relating to the first Scottish Crown Estate strategic management plan.

A Fairer Scotland Duty impact assessment relating to the first Scottish Crown Estate strategic management plan.

Vision and objectives, priorities and policies for the future management of the estate to deliver wider and long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.

During the Implementation Period (due to last until 31 December 2020), EU legislation relevant to the marine environment will continue to apply.

Cotton bud ban comes into force.