National Marine Plan 2 Steering Group Minutes November 2024

1. Welcome and general update on NMP2 progress 

Scottish Government (SG) Officials from the National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) team welcomed members of the group. A short update on NMP2 development progress was provided, including updates on the sector workshops and the National Marine Planning Forum. A link to the forum sign-up was provided.

Steering Group members were thanked for their attendance at the previous steering group meeting and for their feedback on the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) methodology. An overview of the consultants’ role in the assessments was presented and the actions taken to address concerns raised on the approach to the assessments at the previous meeting. Clarification was provided that policy ideas for NMP2 will be presented to the Steering Group only by the NMP2 team. The NMP2 team proposed sharing the methodologies on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) and Natural Capital for feedback by the Steering Group.

Steering Group members enquired about the attendance format of the Marine Planning Forum scheduled for 13 November 2024.

SG Official responded that the feedback we received from online delegates at the 2023 Forum, was that it was difficult to take part in interactive sessions. The 2024 Forum will be in-person only as it will have two interactive sessions.

2. Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

The purpose of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework and the methodology used in its development was presented. Indicators will be used to assess the effectiveness of the marine plan’s implementation which will be presented in a report and updated every three years as required in the Marine Acts

The following points were raised by Steering Group members:

• The Scottish Government Wild Salmon Strategy would be relevant to this work.
• Judicial reviews could become common in terms of licensing and this could have an impact on stakeholders operating successfully.
• There could be disparity between regional marine plans and the national marine plan.

Queries were raised by the Steering Group members on:

• The monitoring data collection and collation methodologies.
• The consequences of not adhering to the current National Marine Plan and on monitoring compliance.
• The effect of no regional marine plan in an area in the planning process.

In response, the NMP2 team explained that the reporting against the monitoring and evaluation framework will be performed by the Scottish Government. Officials will assess the types of data and indicators that are suitable for the monitoring and evaluation framework and align as far as possible with existing indicators and reporting timeframes.

The framework will be used to evaluate the use of the NMP2 and not marine decisions. The Plan is used as a guiding policy framework and does not mandate a decision. Officials clarified that recent Judicial review focused on process.

A decision would consider the National Marine Plan and if available a regional marine plan (RMP). All RMPs must be in conformity with the National Marine Plan.

3. Progress and next steps

Scottish Officials summarised the next steps in the development of the monitoring and evaluation framework methodology.

Attendees and apologies

External

• Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers
• Coastal Communities Network
• Communities Inshore Fisheries Alliance
• Fisheries Management Scotland
• Historic Environment Scotland
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• NatureScot 
• North West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group
• Offshore Energies UK
• Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning
• Orkney Regional Inshore Fisheries Group
• Outer Hebrides Regional Inshore Fishery Group
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland
• Salmon Scotland
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Scottish Islands Federation
• Scottish Fishermen Federation
• Scottish Renewables
• Scottish Seaweed Industry Association
• Scottish White Fish Producers Association
• Scottish Environment Link
• Shetland Regional Inshore Fisheries Group
• South of Scotland Enterprise
• UK Chamber of Shipping

Scottish Government

• Climate Change Unit, Marine Directorate
• Marine Policy and Planning, Marine Directorate
• Science, Evidence, Data and Digital, Marine Directorate
• Sectoral Marine Planning, Offshore Wind Directorate

Apologies

• Crown Estate Scotland
• Northern Lighthouse Board 
• Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division, Directorate for Local Government and Housing 
• Scottish Enterprise
• South West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group
• Visit Scotland

Items and actions

 

1. NMP2 team to circulate the SEIA, SEA, HRA and Natural Capital methodologies for review by the Steering Group.
2. NMP2 team to share the draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with the Steering Group.