MSF (130/2015)
Marine Strategy Forum – Meeting 18
20 February 2015 Conference Room 2, Victoria Quay, 12:30 – 15:30
Attendees
David Palmer
Andrew Fulton
Annie Breaden
John Esslemont
Lloyd Austin
Graham Russell
Roger Owen
Philip Day
Ron Macdonald
Richard Ballantyne
Isabel Glasgow
Edward Wright
John Goold
Eunice Pinn
Stephen Bell
Derek McGlashan
Brian Davidson
Mark James
Martin Dorchester
Scott Ure
Colin Wishart
Sam Tedcastle
Ben Drakeford
Allan Gibb
Anna Donald
Susan Ewart
Bruce Buchanan
David Mallon
Colin Moffat
Carole Barker-Munro
Marine Scotland, Chairperson
Historic Scotland
The Crown Estate
Royal Institute of Town Planning
RSPB/SE LINK
RYA
SEPA
Northern Lighthouse Board
Scottish Natural Heritage
British Ports Association
Scottish Coastal Forum
Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network
JNCC
JNCC
SSPO
UK Major Ports Group
ASFB
MASTS
David MacBrayne Ltd
David MacBrayne Ltd
COSLA
Celtic Seas Partnership
Focal Point UK - Atlantic Action Plan
Marine Scotland
Marine Scotland
Marine Scotland
Marine Scotland
Marine Scotland
Marine Scotland Science
Marine Scotland
Apologies
Alistair Sinclair
Steve Bastiman
Mick Borwell
Mark Tasker
Lindsay Leask
David Vass
Sandra Laurenson
David Pirie
Scott Landsburgh
David Adams McGilp
Bertie Armstrong
Nick Lake
Philip Robertson
Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation
Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network
Oil & Gas UK
JNCC
Scottish Renewables
Royal Yachting Association
British Ports Association
SEPA
Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation
VisitScotland
SFF
Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers
Historic Scotland
1. Welcome and Introductions
David Palmer, Marine Scotland
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MSF (130/2015)
David welcomed members to the eighteenth meeting and noted apologies and welcomed
members attending for the first time.
2. Minutes of last meeting
David Palmer, Marine Scotland
MSF (123/2014)
Members were invited to agree the minute of the seventeenth meeting. No further points
were raised and the minutes were agreed as an accurate record. The action points were
also noted as completed.
Action 1 – Secretariat to issue link to St Andrews findings.
3. Communications Paper
David Palmer, Marine Scotland
MSF (125/2015)
David thanked members for the wide range of updates that had been received and asked if
any contributors had anything which they wished to add in support of their contribution.
Comments from members included :
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David raised issue of Corkscrew Seal injuries and advised members that scientists at
St Andrews have recorded video which showed that the injuries are caused by
cannibal seals.
Members to note that Rhona Fairgrieve will be returning to the Scottish Coastal
Forum in May following the end of her secondment to Brussels.
Clarification was sought on which fishery was involved in the seal item in the
communications paper. - DP advised that the item was subject to FOI therefore could
not be discussed in open forum.
Question whether, following the St Andrews University research, any thought had
been given to resurrecting the Scottish Seals forum? DM suggested that if members
thought that there was potential value in reinstating the Forum, an update will be
provided at a later meeting.
Queried whether SEPA had been involved in review of the eutrophication aspects of
the MSFD Commission decision.
Action 2 – Colin Moffat to check if SEPA was involved in definition of ‘eutrophication’.
4. Standing Items
 Marine Planning
Anna Donald, Marine Scotland
MSF (126/2015)
Anna Donald spoke to the paper that updated members on the progress of the National
Marine Plan and Regional Marine Planning:
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Anna advised that the Plan was subject of a Debate in the Scottish Parliament the
previous day.
The focus was on the format and usability of the Plan and the need to be consistent.
Ministers will be considering whether to take forward any changes to the Plan and
report back to Parliament.
The timescale for changes cannot be predicted as it depends on the extent of
changes to be made.
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MS were happy to keep dialogue open, and engage with MSF and other
stakeholders.
Cabinet Secretary wanted this progressed quickly, although not with undue haste,
therefore there was a short window for further discussions.
Action 3 - Secretariat to issue link to Scottish Government response to Rural Affairs,
Climate Change and Environment Committee on the National Marine Plan..
Regional Planning –
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Members suggested that it would be helpful if there was a central person at Marine
Scotland for RPPs.
The response to RACCE, whose key concerns were on how to implement plan,
highlighted working with Clyde and Shetland and with MSS, IT etc.
MS focusing on the assessment side of developing the planning process – a phased
approach to Regional Planning going forward in a sensible way to ensure support is
available when and where required.
Lot of focus on Local Authorities in regional planning, also expertise and knowledge
from other sources to feed into MPPs.
Paper on assessments came out of a small working group with Clyde and Shetland –
be aware that these documents are a work in progress – MSF members most
welcome to feed into that.
PFOW has a ‘lessons learned’ output – looking to do something similar with the
NMP.
Development of an MSP forum by MASTS – MSF members may wish to interact.
Will areas without an LCP be at the end of the queue for MPP?
Need to look at how to structure partnership building exercise so that it does not
become too unwieldy. How many partners; who has formally delegated powers; who
needs to be involved in partnership process – need to look at this on a case-by-case
basis.
Action 4 – Secretariat to provide link to Regional Planning paper from discussions with
Clyde & Shetland.
National Marine Plan
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Longer term for NMP – review and update. UK Act states 3 years for offshore and
reserved areas, and Scottish Act states 5 years. Review will be carried out in terms
of Legislation. Propose 3 years for review then roll into one process to take forward
in 5 years. RACCE proposal is 3 years as it is the first National Marine Plan. Other
views are that 3 years is too short. The updated NMP will reflect the final position.
NMPi – growing rapidly, building a central portal. Members were asked if they gather or host
spatial data which could be presented on NMPi?
Action 5 – members to advise secretariat if they have spatial planning data which could feed
into NMPi.
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Marine Renewables and Offshore Wind
Bruce Buchanan, Marine Scotland
Bruce Buchanan updated members on work currently on-going in the Marine Renewables
Team.
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The draft Sectoral Plans for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy identified
a total of 28 areas for potential future development.
Since the consultation ended in November 2013 a Consultation Analysis
Report had been published and further analysis undertaken to take into
account comments raised at regional and sectoral events.
Aim to submit recommendations on the final plans to Ministers by end March
and to complete the Post-adoption statement.
Work was underway to update the Licensing manual – Guidance for
developers. Anticipated that a revised manual would be available in the
summer.
The Crown Estate asked that they be included in any consultation on the
Licensing manual.
Wet storage for concrete ‘gravity’ bases for offshore wind turbines –
information has been collected from the Concrete Centre. Regional locational
guidance would be prepared later this year to identify potential areas to
temporarily store/park bases.
Scenario mapping work – greater understanding of the onshore planning and
supply chain. Report would be published within the next month or two.
Scottish Offshore Renewables Research frAmework (SpORRAn) – Lucy Law
leads on this. Co-ordination of research. Themed groups will consider
data/research gaps within their particular area of interest, these groups will
then feed into a Co-ordination Strategic group made up of the ‘chairs’ from
the themed groups. The Strategic Group will consider strategic priorities and
explore funding avenues. Crown Estate indicated that they would like to be
involved in Strategic Group.
Marine Environment
David Mallon, Marine Scotland
MSF 128/2015
David updated members on The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project including work to
prepare a draft impact assessment of the 4 MPA proposals and the 14 Special Protection
Area proposals. The consultants (ABPMer) had been appointed and would present draft
outputs to the Project Advisory Group (PAG), which would meet on 9 April 2015 – MSF
members were invited to send representatives; ABPmer would provide a final report by end
of April 2015.
Points from discussion:
 Two Members enquired whether management options would be prepared for
existing activities including port activities. DM said that the management options
have been prepared by SNH/JNCC based on their advice on the potential
pressures on the features. ABPMer will be in touch with main contacts who
should direct them to the correct contact – this would be the first opportunity to
comment on the impact assessment.
 SACs be subject to similar assessment process? The process for SAC proposals
for harbour Porpoise not as far progressed. There would be a UK-wide deskbased study with opportunity to comment on draft document when it goes out for
public consultation.
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DM summarised other issues including work to develop the MPA management
proposals and the EC REFIT exercise on the Birds and Habitats Directives. 5000
responses to the consultation on the management proposals for the 20 proposed
MPAs. MS was analysing the responses with the intention to lay Orders under
the Inshore Fisheries Act in summer 2015 and Marine Conservation Report in
October 2015. There would be a consultation on further 20 inshore sites,
workshops were planned on two management proposals for offshore MPAs for
Spring 2015 – will circulate details.
REFIT – The EC was undertaking an exercise as part of its wider regulatory
agenda to consider the experience of the Birds & Habitats Directives and whether
fit for purpose. Public consultation (web-based) would commence shortly with
meetings at Green Week and after the summer in Brussels. The review would be
completed by end of the year. Contact David Mallon for further information.
Action 6 – David Mallon to circulate workshop details to MSF members.
Action 7 – Members to contact David Mallon for further information on public consultation on
REFIT.
5. Crown Estate
David Mallon
MSF 127/2015
David introduced the Crown Estate paper which summarised the current developments in
terms of the Smith Commission recommendations and UK draft clauses on the transfer of
responsibility for all Crown Estate assets and associated revenue to the Scottish Parliament,
including urban and rural assets. The UK Government’s command paper and draft clauses
were published recently and more discussion was needed on how to take forward
recommendations from the Smith Commission but The Scottish Government was aiming for
a smooth transition in partnership with the Crown Estate and an effective and faithful
implementation of the recommendations with opportunities for stakeholders to contribute to
the process.
The Scottish Government has clarified that island and coastal local authorities would receive
100% of net income from Crown Estate marine assets out to 12 nautical miles. Planning for
a two-phase approach – first to secure devolution and second to develop a framework
through Scottish Parliament. The UK Government scheme in the draft clauses involves the
transfer of management responsibility, not ownership of assets – and Crown will still own the
seabed. The UK Government proposals made clear that liabilities as well as assets will be
transferred and these could have significant financial aspects.
6. JNCC presentation on Harbour Porpoise
David Mallon introduced the item and highlighted that JNCC had been asked by the four
administrations in the UK to co-ordinate advice on whether proposals for SACs could be
identified in UK waters. MSF members were requested to treat the information in confidence
in advance of a future statement on the proposals.
Eunice Pinn of JNCC gave a presentation to members on recommended Draft Special Areas
of Conservation for Harbour Porpoise and advised that it is not possible to circulate the
presentation at this stage due to certain sensitivities.
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7. Sea Fisheries Update
Allan Gibb, Marine Scotland
Allan gave an update on the outcomes from the December Council, increases in most
valuable stocks and favourable results for Scottish fishing from the Norway and Faroe
negotiations.
Phased approach to Total Removals (Discard Ban) – commencing with some species in
2016 to ‘land all you catch’ by 2019. This allows businesses to adjust, onshore businesses
as well as vessels. Modelling being done around this at the moment as until species
involved are known it is difficult to predict the potential impact to the onshore sector.
Quota consultation – plan to send advice to Ministers by end June 2015. It is likely that
any formal announcements will be after UK general elections.
There are 7 EFF funded fisheries projects – all progressing. Inshore fisheries data project
- 300 units will have been fitted to vessels by end June this year.
8. Atlantic Action plan presentation
Ben Drakeford – UK Focal Point for Atlantic Action Plan
Ben gave a presentation to members on the Atlantic Action Plan and invited members to
contact him directly if they would like more information on the project.
Ben’s presentation is available for dissemination if members would like to see it.
Action 8 – members to contact Ben for more information ben.drakeford@port.ac.uk
Action 9 – members to contact secretariat if they would like a copy of Ben’s presentation
9. Celtic Seas Partnership (CSP)
Sam Tedcastle
Sam gave a presentation on Celtic Seas Partnership.
Cross-boundary engagement in Scotland.
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Members had differing views with some agreeing about the lack of cross-boundary
engagement and others, UK-wide organisations, that their sector has a great deal of
cross boundary engagement.
Queried how NERC work on assessment linked to assessments being carried out by
Government and at OSPAR levels.
More info on CSP activity on website www.celticseaspartnership.eu
Action 10 – Sam Tedcastle to provide further information on NERC/BODC work on
assessment.
10. Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) presentation
Mark James
Mark gave a presentation on behalf of MASTS – Making the Most of Masters.
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11. Any other business
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MSFD Programme of Measures paper
MSF 129/2015 Anna highlighted the
MSFD PoMs event on 2 April and asked members to contact
susan.ewart1@scotland.gsi.gov.uk to note interest in attending.
12. Date of next meeting
It was agreed that the date of the next meeting would be scheduled for:
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MSF 19 - Friday 19 June 2015 (however would be reviewed in advance to see if
required).
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MSF 19 – Friday 16 October 2015 (alternative date).
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