Scottish seabird conservation action plan: island communities impact assessment

3. Step Three – Consultation

The Scottish Government undertook a consultation in relation to the Scottish seabird conservation action plan from 11 December 2024 to 5 March 2025. The consultation was hosted on Citizen Space, though there were also options for respondents to submit their responses via post or email.

A total of 107 responses were received, with 87 [BH6] [EP7] submitted by individuals and 20 submitted by organisations. Furthermore, 5264 campaign responses were received. An analysis of responses to the consultation will be published alongside the plan.

3.1 What questions will you ask when considering how to address island realities?

The action plan, in looking to address the decline in seabird populations and build resilience through collective efforts, will be engaging directly with island communities. These seabirds are primarily found in coastal areas and islands, with strong tendencies present to breed on islands free from land-based predators. Those participating in the consultation were asked whether they support the implementation of the action plan, whether they agree with the key pressures facing seabirds that have been identified, and whether it captures the key actions needed to deliver its vision and objectives. In addition to this, they were asked if they have views on measures to monitor progress and success. [BH8] However, no new policies are currently being introduced, and island-specific realities will be assessed for any potential impact when actions are taken forward for implementation.