Marine Licensing (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026: island communities impact assessment

Conclusion

The SSI applies to certain activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) and will create an administrative change for the requirement to license those activities that reach the threshold for environmental impact assessment and which can be defined as undertaken by a Scottish actor. This would simply add an additional step in project approval for projects with the potential to be significantly polluting or harmful. It is unlikely that this new step will stop or halt activity and simply that a projects potential environmental effects are assessed.

There are no anticipated potential barriers or wider impacts arising from the proposed SSI and as such no specific mitigations required. The was no evidence or specific concerns raised from island stakeholders in response to the public consultation.

The activities will be in ABNJ and therefore not directly impact any island with any significant fashion and not in a manner different to any other location. Where Scottish actors potentially caught by the new requirements could be based is unknown. However, it can be concluded the legislation is not prohibitive to where Scottish actors can be based.

Therefore, it is not considered to have a clear link to the islands, and a full ICIA is not required.

Screening ICIA completed by: Lewis Hurley

Position: Head of Marine Planning

Date: 26 January 2026

ICIA authorised by: Elisabeth Campbell

Position: Deputy Director Performance and Delivery

Signature:

Date: 29 January 2026