Scottish Blue Carbon action plan: islands communities impact assessment

Step three - consultation

To inform the development of the BCAP, direct engagement with external stakeholders with an interest in blue carbon has been undertaken. A copy of the draft BCAP was shared with stakeholders on 21 May until 18 June, and supported with a series of meetings with key stakeholders. Feedback from those stakeholders has been analysed and incorporated into the BCAP.

The blue carbon stakeholders consulted with include: environmental NGOs, fishing industry representative bodies, aquaculture representative bodies, public bodies (including relevant departments and environmental bodies across the UK), and researchers and academics involved in blue carbon research. These stakeholders are geographically spread across the UK, including organisations based in island and coastal communities.

Over the last year, relevant workshops, conferences, and meetings have also been utilised to get insights into blue carbon and wider issues associated with the marine environment and coastal communities. This includes participation in the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland Annual Scientific Meeting (MASTS ASM), the UK Saltmarsh Forum, and the UK Blue Carbon Forum. Engagement events associated with the development of a range of marine policies (including the National Marine Plan and Marine Restoration Plan) have also provided insights into stakeholder and coastal communities views on blue carbon habitats as part of the marine natural environment.