MSF (104/2013)
MSF Paper: Marine Planning and Policy – Engagement Plans for Joint Summer
Consultation
Purpose
To inform members about engagement plans for the upcoming Marine Scotland
summer consultations and to invite views on how members (and key stakeholders)
wish to engage during the consultation process.
Background
1.
As members are aware, Marine Scotland will consult this summer on the Draft
National Marine Plan; the Marine Protected Areas network and Sectoral Marine
Plans for renewable energy. In parallel, we also plan to invite views on the list of
Priority Marine Features developed by SNH and JNCC; and a circular developed on
the linkages between marine and terrestrial planning. We anticipate consultation will
take place over a 16 week period from July until November 2013.
2.
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The joint consultation exercise is intended to:
Demonstrate and enhance alignment between 3 major policy developments.
Embody an integrated approach to management of Scotland’s Seas.
Highlight both strategic and practical approaches to ensuring environmental
protection and economic growth can be achieved together.
Allow stakeholders and the general public to participate in shaping policy at a
national and local level, with a rounded view of the full context.
Make best use of resources and reduce stakeholder fatigue.
Presentation
3.
Each consultation will consist of at least a main proposals document;
consultation questions and accompanying assessments (Strategic Environmental
Assessment; Habitats Regulations Assessment if required; impact assessments). A
short booklet is being developed to provide a succinct high level overview about the
consultations - Annex A sets out the draft text. The booklet will be distributed widely,
including to libraries across Scotland. The consultation materials will mostly be
made available electronically with limited hard copies, mainly for events.
4.
A range of electronic formats will be used to better present the information,
these include:
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Converting NMP consultation documentation into e-book format, following the
launch of the Marine Atlas in this format earlier this year.
The NMPi is being further developed and enhanced to provide a GIS platform
for displaying information relevant to marine planning and the spatial content
of the NMP and specific MPA and renewables proposals.
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Marine Scotland interactive (MSi) will also be available for the renewables
industry for relevant spatial and accompanying information when commenting
on the Sectoral Marine Plan consultations.
5.
Further materials such as standard presentations; leaflets; factsheets;
banners and boards for conferences; and workshop packs will also be made
available for use by those interested in holding their own consultation event.
Engagement
6.
A joined up approach has been taken to develop a detailed engagement plan
for the consultation process. The consultation engagement plan is a working
document and will be discussed and refined with individual sectors and stakeholders
leading up to the consultation period. Annex B sets out the draft programme of
events and consists of:
o Major public events (national)
o Focussed public events (local)
o Stakeholder meetings and events (Annex C)
Major public events (national)
7.
There will be a number of national scale events in the major cities across
mainland Scotland which will focus equally on all three consultations. The format of
events is likely to include a combination of presentations and evening drop-in
sessions.
Focussed public events (local)
8.
More bespoke coastal/island events will also mention all 3 consultations at a
high level but will mainly be focused on particular proposals – e.g. in the areas most
affected by the specific proposals in the renewables and MPA consultations. These
local events include SNH led events discussing MPAs. Again the format of events is
likely to include a combination of presentations and evening drop-in sessions, with
the content tailored to the area and audience.
More focussed stakeholder engagement (Annex C)
9.
Further stakeholder events will be organised taking account of the different
audience requirements. In particular, MSF members and key stakeholders are
invited to meet with us to discuss sectoral interests or individual consultation issues.
This could range from bilaterals with national organisations to bespoke events for
broader representatives. We will also seek opportunities presented by other planned
events to engage (e.g. slots at conferences etc).
10.
The engagement plan has been updated to reflect planned stakeholder events
and meetings which take place during the consultation period.
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11.
The programme of events and information on how stakeholders can get
involved will be publicised through the respective Statements of Public Participation;
the Marine Scotland website (including a designated page for the summer
consultations: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-consultation )
Issues for Discussion
12.
We seek members’ views on how Marine Scotland can best engage with
sectors and key stakeholders during the consultation process. Examples of
engagement include:
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13.
Individual or Bilateral sectoral meetings addressing key issues (MS led)
National Sectoral Events / Annual Conferences ( MS to attend)
Working Groups / National Advisory Group meetings ( MS to attend)
RTPI led events as currently taking place for SPP and NPF3 (MS to attend)
Members are invited to:
 Inform us of stakeholder or sectoral events/meetings which could be used to
engage on the consultations. Please provide details of the event in the pro
forma at Annex D.
 Advise how best to engage with your sector. Do you wish to MS to set up
individual sectoral or stakeholder meetings? What are the key issues for your
sector?
Marine Planning and Policy
June 2013
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ANNEX A
Planning Scotland’s Seas – Consultation 2013
Scotland’s seas are a vast and vital natural resource. Covering over 450,000 km 2
they are home to an awe-inspiring range of species and habitats; provide food and
energy and contribute to our health and wellbeing.
Scotland’s history and culture reflect our status as a maritime nation – 20% of our
population live within 1 kilometre of the sea; 50,000 people are employed in maritime
industries; and Scotland has over 200 ports.
We recognise that we must protect and enhance the marine environment so that
these benefits it provides continue to sustain future generations.
Management of marine industries has evolved over time to ensure that potential
environmental impacts are taken into account when new activity is being proposed.
Over Summer 2013, Marine Scotland will consult on a number of proposals to take
forward integrated marine planning for Scotland’s seas. This will include:
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A National Marine Plan
Marine Protected Areas
Offshore Renewable Energy
Priority Marine Features
Integration with Terrestrial Planning
This leaflet provides information on each of these proposals – for further information
and to respond to the consultation proposals see:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-consultation
Planning Scotland’s Seas - National Marine Plan
Marine Scotland is developing Scotland’s first National Marine Plan. This will build
on existing management regimes to provide one framework for all the activity which
takes place in Scottish waters. The Plan sets out Scottish Ministers’ objectives for
the seas and their national policies for sustainable development.
The Plan contains general policies designed to ensure that all future decisions lead
to sustainable economic growth which is sensitive to the environment, other users
and the long-term health of the seas. It also contains specific policies for the
following activities, relating to economic productivity, environmental limits,
interactions with other users and climate change.
List of activities: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Wild Salmon, Oil and Gas, Carbon Capture
and Storage, Renewables, Recreation and Tourism, Transport, Telecommunications,
Defence, Aggregates.
The Plan includes some spatial policies – setting out areas which are designated for
environmental protection purposes; or which are preferred for certain types of
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development. These include proposals relating to Marine Protected Areas and
Offshore Renewable Energy. Other policies set out issues to be taken into account
by planners, developers, decision-makers and other users of the sea.
Planning Scotland’s Seas – Marine Protected Areas
Marine Scotland is publishing proposals for a Marine Protected Area network. This
network is designed to protect marine biodiversity (species and habitats) and
geodiversity (landforms and natural processes that underpin the marine landscape).
There are already many existing protected areas in our seas. These include 47
Special Protection Areas for colonies of seabirds such as puffins and kittiwakes; 46
Special Areas of Conservation for species and habitats such as bottlenose dolphin,
coral reefs and seals; and 94 Sites of Specific Scientific Interest for the further
protection of species from seabirds and seals to habitats from sea caves and rocky
shores.
In order to complete the network, 33 proposed sites have now been identified for
species, habitats and geology that the Scottish Government and its scientific
advisers believe do not have enough protection through these existing protected
areas.
Planning Scotland’s Seas – Offshore Renewable Energy
Scotland’s seas have massive potential to provide renewable energy. They contain
approximately 25% of Europe’s tidal resource, 25% of its offshore wind resource and
10% of its wave potential. Harnessing this potential to develop a sustainable and
successful offshore renewable energy industry in Scotland is a major priority for
Scottish Ministers.
Marine Scotland is publishing Draft Plans which identify options for offshore wind,
wave and tidal energy developments. The proposals are the culmination of a
planning process which has considered the marine resource available, and the
potential environmental and socio-economic impacts, to determine the most
appropriate locations for future developments.
Planning Scotland’s Seas - Priority Marine Features
Scientists have developed a list of Priority Marine Features – key habitats and
species within Scotland’s seas which would benefit from site based protection and/or
other management measures. The Marine Protected Areas proposals are designed
to offer protection to many of these features. The National Marine Plan also
proposes that these features should be specifically taken into account in future
planning and decision making.
Planning Scotland’s Seas – Integration with Terrestrial Planning
All developments and activities which take place in Scotland’s seas have
implications onshore too – ranging from changing infrastructure requirements to the
impacts on communities of economic growth or decline. The Scottish Government
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has produced a circular which explores the linkages between the marine and
terrestrial planning systems; provides guidance about joint working; and sets out
some case studies.
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Planning Scotland’s Seas – an ecosystem approach
Marine planning is intended to introduce better integrated management of our seas,
in order to protect our marine ecosystem and the many services it provides –
services which underpin social and economic wellbeing.
An ecosystem approach involves 3 key steps:
1) Consider natural systems – by using knowledge of interactions in nature and how
ecosystems function.
Our current proposals do this in various ways. The National Marine Plan contains a
number of policies designed to protect habitats and species key to ecosystem
function (based on our current evidence base). Proposals for Marine protected
areas and Priority Marine Features also take this into account. National Marine Plan
policies and the approach to planning for offshore renewables acknowledge the
potential ecosystem impacts of human activity and attempt to avoid or mitigate
these.
2) Take account of the services that ecosystems provide.
Marine ecosystems provide numerous indirect and direct services. These include
the provision of food, medicines and bio-fuels; regulation of the climate and pollution;
and non-material benefits such as leisure and recreation opportunities and cultural
and learning experiences.
Marine planning approaches attempt to ensure that these services are valued and
taken into account in making decisions about the sustainable use of our seas.
3) Involve people.
The Planning Scotland’s Seas consultation process is a key opportunity for people to
get involved in the future management of our waters.
Planning Scotland’s Seas – the Future
Following the Planning Scotland’s Seas consultation process, responses and
feedback will be analysed to assist in finalising:
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The Marine Protected Area network
The Sectoral Marine Plans for offshore renewable energy
The National Marine Plan which incorporates MPA and renewables spatial
policy
The list of Priority Marine Features
The circular on the integration between marine and terrestrial planning
The National Marine Plan will inform future regional marine plans.
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ANNEX B
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME
PLANNED PUBLIC EVENTS – SOME DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Date
Location
SNH – MPA public events
Mon 22 Jul
Tues 23 Jul
Fetler
Wed 24 Jul
Unst
Thurs 25 Jul
Yell
Fri 26 Jul
Sat 27 Jul
Eigg
Mon 29 Jul
Arran
Tues 30 Jul
Wed 31 Jul
Canna
Thu 01 Aug
Fri 02 Aug
Mon 19 Aug
EDINBURGH
Tues 20 Aug
Lerwick
Wed 21 Aug
Oban
Brae
Sandwick
Thu 22 Aug
Fort William
Fri 23 Aug
DUNDEE
Mon 26 Aug
Elgin
Tues 27 Aug
ABERDEEN
Barra
Rousay and Wick
Wed 28 Aug
Peterhead
Benbecula
Thu 29 Aug
Fraserburgh
Stornoway
Papa Westray
Fri 30 Aug
Mon 02 Sept
Tiree
Inverary
Tues 03 Sept Stranraer
Lochgilphead
Wed 04 Sept Port William
Thu 05 Sept
Kirkcudbright
Jura
Fri 06 Sept
Mon 09 Sept
Maryport
Tues 10 Sept DUMFRIES
Loch Maddy & Kyle of
Wed 11 Sept
Lochalsh
Thu 12 Sept
Fri 13 Sept
Mon 16 Sept
Tues 17 Sept
Wed 18 Sept
Thu 19 Sept
Fri 20 Sept
Mon 23 Sept
Tues 24 Sept
Wed 25 Sept
Thu 26 Sept
Fri 27 Sept
Islay
Inverness
Inverness
GLASGOW
LARGS
INVERNESS
Stromness
Thurso
Mallaig
Elgin
Campbeltown
Ullapool
Kinlochbervie
Poolewe
Kirkwall
Kilchoan
Strontian & Tobermory
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ANNEX C
SECTORAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Event
Date
Venue
Main Contact
01 July 2013
Kirkwall
Tracy McCollin (MarLab)
02 July 2013
Kirkwall
Tracy McCollin (MarLab)
04 July 2013
Thurso
Tracy McCollin (MarLab)
05 July 2013
Thurso
Tracy McCollin (MarLab)
Trust Port
seminar/Board Training
Day
Water Framework
Directive NAG
10 September
2013
30 September
Inverness
Edinburgh
Chris Wilcock Head of Ports &
Harbours
Joyce Carr, Water Quality
Fishing Focus
2 October
Edinburgh
Michael McLeod, Marine
Scotland
BPA Annual
Conference (UK-wide
conference)
9/10 October 2013
Grimsby
Chris Wilcock, Ports &
Harbours
Pentland Firth/Orkney
Waters Consultation
Pentland Firth/Orkney
Waters Consultation
Pentland Firth/Orkney
Waters Consultation
Pentland Firth/Orkney
Waters Consultation
Further meetings to be arranged with:
Historic Environment
Ports and Harbours
RTPI Scotland
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ANNEX D
ENGAGEMENT PRO FORMA
Sector
Date
Location
Contact Details
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