Proposed special protection areas for Scottish marine birds: supplementary consultation

1. Introduction

1.1 The Scottish Government is undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the proposal to classify 15 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in the Scottish marine environment and previously an Environmental Report^[2] was published for consultation in accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 ('the 2005 Act). 

1.2 In order to address consultee responses, specifically with regard to the previous assessment of Reasonable Alternatives, the Scottish Government is undertaking a supplementary consultation based upon a revised and expanded set of Reasonable Alternatives, and is inviting comments on these alongside an updated Environmental Report^[3]. This is because respondents asked for more information, greater clarity and suggested additional alternatives.  We have also taken the opportunity to update our preferred policy recommendation on classification of the pSPAs in light of Final Advice to Scottish Minsters from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).