Highly Protected Marine Areas - policy framework and site selection guidelines: socio-economic impact assessment – methodology

Appendix A Outcome of Initial Scoping

Table A1 sets out an initial scoping for impacts of HPMAs by sector, considering specific impact pathways/interactions for each sector. This has drawn on the draft HPMA Policy Framework developed by Marine Scotland, and scoping and socio-economic impact assessments for previous MPA designation work and offshore wind SEIAs. It also indicates if there is an existing method for assessment established in previous SEIAs, or whether methods and cost estimates need further development. Appendix B sets out more detailed assessment methods and should be read in conjunction with the initial scoping table.

Table A1. Initial scoping for HPMAs by sector and considering specific impact pathways for each sector

Sector

Aquaculture (finfish)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Removal of sites/infrastructure

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

No – estimate of cost for removal/relocation to be discussed with industry.

Sector

Aquaculture (finfish)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Costs associated with relocation, including shore-based infrastructure

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

No – estimate of cost for removal/relocation to be discussed with industry.

Sector

Aquaculture (finfish)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional costs for marine licence renewals adjacent to HPMAs

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes (distance from HPMA to be determined)

Sector

Aquaculture (finfish)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Sterilisation of potential development sites

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Aquaculture (finfish)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Costs of uncertainty and delays

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Aquaculture (shellfish and seaweed)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Removal of sites/infrastructure

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

No – estimate of cost for removal/relocation to be discussed with industry

Sector

Aquaculture (shellfish and seaweed)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Costs associated with relocation, including shore-based infrastructure

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

No – estimate of cost for removal/relocation to be discussed with industry

Sector

Aquaculture (shellfish and seaweed)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional costs for marine licence renewals adjacent to HPMAs

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes (distance from HPMA to be determined)

Sector

Aquaculture (shellfish and seaweed)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Sterilisation of potential development sites

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Aquaculture (shellfish and seaweed)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Costs of uncertainty and delays

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Aviation

Sector scoped in?

No

Impact pathway

No management expected to be required for this sector

Sector

Carbon Capture and Undersea Storage

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional costs for marine licence determinations

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Carbon Capture and Undersea Storage

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Pipelines – obstruction/deviation of new pipeline routes

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

No, deviation of routes not previously assessed, have assumed new development would tie into existing pipeline network

Estimate of pipeline cost per km to be discussed with industry

Sector

Carbon Capture and Undersea Storage

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Sterilisation of potential development sites

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Carbon Capture and Undersea Storage

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Cost of uncertainty and delays

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Coast Protection and Flood Defence

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Removal of existing defences

Pathway scoped in?

No

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Inspection, maintenance and repairs of existing infrastructure such as coastal defences, inactive oil and gas infrastructure, or active pipelines and cables expected to be able to continue

Sector

Coast Protection and Flood Defence

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Maintenance of existing coastal protection and flood defences

Pathway scoped in?

No

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Inspection, maintenance and repairs of existing infrastructure such as coastal defences, inactive oil and gas infrastructure, or active pipelines and cables expected to be able to continue

Sector

Coast Protection and Flood Defence

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional costs for planning and licence applications for maintenance of existing/construction of new flood protection or coastal defences within HPMAs

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Commercial Fisheries

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Exclusion of commercial fishing activity from HPMAs

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes. Will consider whether there are price effects as well as volume effects on landings, from ecosystem recovery in the HPMAs.

Sector

Commercial Fisheries

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Minimum speed requirement for transiting sites

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Commercial Fisheries

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Restriction on fixed engines and net and coble fisheries

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Energy Generation

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional assessment costs for marine licence determinations

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Energy Generation

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Deviation of new cable routes to avoid HPMAs

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Energy Generation

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Cost of uncertainty and delays

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Marine Aggregate Extraction

Sector scoped in?

No

Impact pathway

No current marine aggregate licences or licence applications in Scottish waters

Sector

Military and Defence

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Revision of Marine Environment and Sustainability Assessment Tool (MESAT) (and other Ministry of Defence (MoD) environmental tools) and additions to electronic charting by the Hydrographic Office

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Military and Defence

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Compliance with MESAT revisions

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Oil and Gas

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional assessment costs for marine licence determinations (development and decommissioning)

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Oil and Gas

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Deviation of new cable/pipeline routes

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Oil and Gas

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Removal of existing cables/pipelines

Pathway scoped in?

No

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Removal of existing infrastructure not anticipated

Sector

Oil and Gas

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Sterilisation of potential development sites (exploration sites)

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Oil and Gas

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Cost of uncertainty and delays

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Ports and Harbours

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional assessment costs for marine licence determinations (new development proposals, maintenance dredging disposal)

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Ports and Harbours

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Cost of uncertainty and delays

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost – not possible to quantify

Sector

Power Interconnectors

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional assessment costs for marine licence determinations

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Power Interconnectors

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Deviation of new cable routes to avoid HPMAs

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Recreational Fishing

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Restriction on sea fishing in HPMAs (below MLWS)

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Recreational Fishing

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Shore fishing below MLWS

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

No but method developed based on coastline affected and value of shore-based recreational fishing in the relevant region

Sector

Recreational Fishing

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Shore fishing above MLWS

Pathway scoped in?

No

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Recreational fishing activities in areas above MLWS will not be affected as these areas will not be included within HPMAs

NB it may not be possible to differentiate shore fishing below and above MLWS for the impacts (will be specific to individuals, a single location may be used for fishing above and below MLWS)

Sector

Recreational Boating

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Vessel speed restrictions

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Recreational Boating

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Deviation of cruising routes

Pathway scoped in?

No

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Transit expected to be allowed

Sector

Recreational Boating

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Restrictions on anchoring

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Difficult to quantify; qualitative assessment only

Sector

Recreational Boating

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Vessel number restrictions (at ‘non-damaging levels’

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

No, difficult to quantify. Qualitative assessment only

Sector

Recreational Boating

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional assessment costs for marine licence determinations for marinas

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Seabed mining

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional assessment costs for marine licence determinations

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Seabed mining

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Sterilisation of potential development sites

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Opportunity cost

Sector

Seaweed harvesting (wild)

Sector scoped in?

No

Impact pathway

Activity takes place above MLWS and so would be unaffected by HPMAs

Sector

Shipping

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Deviation of shipping routes

Pathway scoped in?

No

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Policy framework indicates shipping routes will not need to be altered – right of innocent passage

Sector

Shipping

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Restrictions on discharge of waste material and ballast water

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Sector

Telecom Cables

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Additional assessment costs for marine licence determinations on new cables in relation to lifeline services

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Telecom Cables

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Deviation of cable routes to avoid HPMAs

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Tourism (including heritage assets)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Vessel speed restrictions and restrictions on numbers/frequency/size of vessels for marine wildlife tourism (wildlife watching

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes

Sector

Tourism (including heritage assets)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Comply with codes of practice / best practice – tourist boats and equipment rentals (e.g. kayaks)

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Additional training costs, compliance with codes

Communicating to customers

Sector

Tourism (including heritage assets)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Impact of designation on tourism product

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Covered in ES benefits assessment

Sector

Tourism (including heritage assets)

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Impact of ecosystem recovery on tourism – increased chance of encountering species that attract visitors

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Covered in ES benefits assessment

Sector

Water sports

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Restrictions of water sports to ‘non-damaging’ levels and vessel speed restrictions

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Sector

Water sports

Sector scoped in?

Yes

Impact pathway

Follow existing codes of best practice

Pathway scoped in?

Yes

Comments on whether existing method and cost assumptions available

Yes