Marine planning: regional partners
Regional marine planning will be undertaken by Marine Planning Partnerships, which will be made up of marine stakeholders who reflect marine interests in their region.
Regional marine planning will be undertaken by appointed delegates, usually either a local authority or a Marine Planning Partnership (MPP). MPPs will consist of marine stakeholders who reflect marine interests in their region. The partnerships will vary in size and composition depending on the area, issues to be dealt with and the existing groups. Local authorities, Inshore Fisheries Groups and other relevant stakeholder groups, such as Local Coastal Partnerships will play a role in the development of regional plans.
Regional marine planning powers will be delegated to the appointed delegates by Scottish Ministers. These powers will not include licensing or consenting as these will remain the responsibility of consenting bodies such as Marine Directorate and local authorities.
The Scottish Government's Marine Directorate will provide support to the appointed delegates, for example by giving access to research and science, the provision and hosting of data through National Marine Plan interactive (NMPi), and guidance on policy development.
When their Regional Marine Plans are adopted, the role of the appointed delegates will continue. They become statutory consultees in the licencing process, while they must also do the following:
- oversee the implementation of their Plans
- monitor their regions and the effects of their plans' policies
- review objectives and policies
- amend their Plans if required or requested by Scottish Ministers
The first MPPs have been established in the Clyde and Shetland Isles regions, while Orkney Islands Council have been established as the sole delegate for their region. Lessons learned from their experiences will be shared with other regions as appropriate.
Clyde Marine Planning Partnership
The Clyde Marine Region was designated as one of the first areas to take forward regional marine planning.
A public notice on the proposed delegate and draft Direction was published in The Herald newspaper on 12 February 2016. Views were sought from the public and responses considered in the drafting of the final Direction.
The Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (CMPP) will take forward regional marine planning in the Clyde, with the powers to develop a regional marine plan by legislation known as a Ministerial Direction. The Direction was signed on 14 March 2017 and the Partnership's operational guidance is available online.
A Statement of Public Participation (SPP) has been prepared and issued by the CMPP, setting out when a consultation is likely to take place and with whom, its likely form and the steps to be taken to involve the general public in the stages of preparation of the Clyde regional marine plan. The SPP and further details and updates relating to the development of the Clyde regional marine plan can be found on the CMPP website and a copy of the Direction and additional information are available below.
Shetland Isles Marine Planning Partnership
The Scottish marine region for the Shetland Isles was another region designated to be one of the first areas to take forward regional marine planning.
The Shetland Islands Marine Planning Partnership (SIMPP) were delegated the relevant functions relating to marine planning in 2016, and a copy of the Ministerial Direction and guidance notes can be seen below.
The SIMPP is a collaboration between Shetland Islands Council and University of the Highlands and Islands Shetland and is served by an Advisory Group made up of representatives from environmental, economic, and community & recreation sectors. The SIMPP website pages provide updates on their progress, development and implementation of their plan, including their Statement of Public Participation (SPP) and consultation on a draft plan.
The Shetland Islands Regional Marine Plan was formally adopted by Scottish Ministers in December 2025.
Orkney Islands Council
Orkney Islands Council (OIC) was given direction in 2020 to act as the sole delegate for regional marine planning functions for their marine region, on behalf of Scottish Ministers. A copy of the Ministerial Direction can be seen below.
The OIC set up the Orkney Marine Planning Advisory Group (OMPAG) to provide expert advice and guidance to inform the plan-making process. They have published their Statement of Public Participation (SPP), while a public consultation on the draft Orkney RMP concluded in late 2024.
Read more information about the development of the regional marine plan for the Orkney Islands marine region on the OIC website.
The Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan was formally adopted by Scottish Ministers in February 2026.
