Bluemull and Colgrave Sounds Special Protection Area: business and regulatory impact assessment

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


Appendix A - Ecosystem Services Benefits, Bluemull and Colgrave Sounds SPA

Summary of Ecosystem Services Benefits arising from Classification of the Site as an SPA
Services Relevance
to Site
Baseline Level Estimated Impacts of Classification Value Weighting Scale of Benefits Confidence
Lower Intermediate  Upper
Fish for human consumption Low, contributes to the food web  Stocks not at MSY Nil Nil  Minimal - Low, small increase in fish stocks possible  Low Minimal Moderate
Fish for non-human consumption Stocks reduced from potential maximum
Gas and climate regulation Minimal, in coastal areas Minimal  Nil Low Nil  High
Non-use value of natural environment Moderate, bird species, and contribution of the site to MPA network, have non-use value. Non-use value of the site may decline Minimal Low, maintain features of site Low, protection of features of site from decline, and/or allowing some recovery, but main habitats within site already protected Low, single feature, contributes to maintaining marine biodiversity  Low  Moderate, response of feature to management measures, and value to society, uncertain
Recreation Moderate, wildlife tourism and recreation at site  Recreation value of the site may decline Minimal, protection of features of site Minimal - low, protection of site contributes to recreation, possibly allowing some recovery Moderate, tourism supports jobs, but substitutes are available.  Minimal - Low Moderate, significance of change from management measures uncertain.
Research and Education Moderate, feature has research value, but there are substitutes Value of site may decline  Minimal, protection of features of site Low, protection maintains future research opportunities. Classification may play role in communicating management needs. Low Low  Moderate, extent to which research uses site in future uncertain.
Total value of changes in ecosystem services Minimal for lower scenario, Low for intermediate and upper scenarios Low Moderate

Contact

Email: marine_conservation@gov.scot

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