Marine Protected Area Network - 2018 Report to the Scottish Parliament

Contribution to international MPA networks

The progress that has been made over the last six years in developing the Scottish MPA network is significant. Our network contributes to international networks at European, North-east Atlantic and global scales.

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Global
Convention on Biological Diversity - At least 10% of coastal and marine areas to be effectively conserved
Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems. Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas.

North-East Atlantic
The establishment of an ecologically coherent and well-managed MPA network

Europe
EU Habitats and Wild Birds Directives - The creation of MPAs for habitats and species of European importance
Marine Strategy Framework Directive - The contribution of MPAs to achieving Good Environmental Status across Europe's seas

Scotland
Scottish MPA network

Internationally there are commitments to MPAs and other spatial conservation measures under EU Directives, the OSPAR Convention, and the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development Goals. Together they provide a global framework that requires delivery of MPA networks by Contracting Parties.

Scotland is largely meeting or exceeding these international commitments. In area terms our network exceeds any of the targets set by a considerable margin. In addition the Scottish MPA network is broadly representative of the habitats and species found in our seas. Ongoing work to complete the network is primarily focused on improving the representation of habitats and species, and delivery of any required management measures.

Table 2: Scotland's progress towards international commitments

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Achieved

A key aim of the Scottish Government has been to make a significant contribution to the OSPAR^[5] MPA network in the North-east Atlantic. The OSPAR maritime area is split up into regions which are different from those defined under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, even though the names are the same in some cases.

Scotland has waters within four OSPAR regions enabling an assessment of relative contribution of Scottish MPAs to each of those. These regions are:

Region 1: Arctic Waters
Region 2: Greater North Sea
Region 3: Celtic Seas
Region 5: Wider Atlantic

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Scotland's MPAs as part of the OSPAR network in the North-East Atlantic

In spatial terms Scotland's seas make up a relatively small proportion of the OSPAR maritime area. Nevertheless our MPAs make a significant contribution to the OSPAR MPA network. In three of the four OSPAR regions Scotland has made a greater than average relative contribution to the OSPAR MPA network. Although no regional based target has been set for MPA coverage the Scottish MPA network covers more than 10% of our seas that fall within each OSPAR region.

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Scotland's relative contribution to the OSPAR network at the regional scale