Draft Scottish Marine Litter Strategy: Analysis of Consultation Responses

Question 27 - 29 Analysis of Responses to Equalities Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment

Q27. Are there any equalities issues that should be factored into the Equalities Impact Assessment for the Marine Litter Strategy?

Question 27 was answered by three respondents who identified equalities issues, to be included as part of wider Strategy development, as follows:

• Unequal litter clearing operations in relation to levels of population;
• Equality of enforcement for all marine vessels;
• Potential challenge for rural areas in supporting recycling schemes.

Q28. Do you have any feedback on the findings of the Strategic Environmental Assessment?

Four organisations submitted comments on the Strategic Environmental Assessment. Three of those respondents suggested amendments or improvements to the Strategic Environmental Assessment. No private individuals commented on the document.

One respondent suggested a number of detailed amendments to the Strategic Environmental Assessment to reflect the impact of litter on the waste water treatment system, where it can lead to blockages and result in the release of sewage related debris.

Another response suggested that there is a need for more research and monitoring to establish baseline data for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, as well as microplastics in the marine environment.

One respondent highlighted the linkages between terrestrial and marine litter and suggested that both the Marine and National Litter Strategies have similar levels and types of objectives; and that monitoring measures should be developed to evaluate the success of both Strategies in terms of the impact on changing behaviours and awareness raising.

Q29. Are there any particular issues that you wish to highlight with regard to the Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, and the potential impacts on the third sector, business and the economy?

Question 29 was answered by eight respondents, three of those responses were from private individuals. The small number of comments received highlighted elements of the impact assessment as follows:

• The impacts of litter on tourism, inward investment and the impact on well-being and behaviours.
• Action to reduce the impact of marine litter will have a positive effect on national and local economies, including improvements to the tourism industry and marine recreation; the sea fishing sector; and a decrease in litter clean-up costs.

Three respondents, which included two private individuals, submitted similar responses which suggested that there would be a need for additional support for third sector organisations should Option 4 be the preferred approach for delivery of the Marine Litter Strategy.

One respondent highlighted continued work to reduce sewage related debris in terms of its impacts on the water and waste network.