Marine litter strategy for Scotland: consultation analysis

1. Introduction

Introduction

1.1 This report presents the independent analysis of responses to the Consultation on a refreshed Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland. The consultation ran from 29 December 2021 to 22 March 2022.

Context

1.2 The first Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland was published in 2014, after a public consultation process. The Strategy has come to the end of its lifecycle, and the Scottish Government has made a commitment to refreshing the Strategy.

1.3 The Marine Scotland Directorate within the Scottish Government is leading this work and a large amount of work has already been undertaken with guidance from the Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group. Membership includes representatives from academia, environmental charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), terrestrial litter interests, the fishing industry, and public bodies that have responsibility for dealing with pollution in our environment.

1.4 To date, the refreshed Marine Litter Strategy and Action Plan has gone through various stages of engagement with partners and stakeholders. The first stage was to undertake a review of the first Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland and to consider whether the overall aims and intent of the Strategy are still valid and relevant, and that the Strategic Directions (i.e. objectives) consider the correct issues. Review workshops took place in late 2019 and identified the need for some changes in the refreshed Strategy.

1.5 Work on the Strategy refresh was paused in 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The second stage involved Marine Scotland working with partners and stakeholders to consider which areas were of most concern and what specific actions Marine Scotland could take to effect a positive change. Several online meetings were held during Summer 2021, with further input gathered by Marine Scotland in Autumn 2021.

1.6 Taken together, this initial engagement helped to identify actions that could realistically be achieved within the next six years, taking into consideration the staffing and financial resources that Marine Scotland and its partners have available.

Refreshed Marine Litter Strategy

1.7 The refreshed Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland has now been prepared by Marine Scotland, with input from the Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group and key stakeholders. The aim of the refreshed Strategy is to contribute to the achievement of Marine Scotland's vision for a clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse marine and coastal environment that meets the long-term needs of people and nature. This vision includes managing our seas sustainably to protect their rich biological diversity and to ensure that it is an ecosystem that continues to provide economic, social and wider benefits for people, industry and users of the marine environment. This underpins developments in marine legislation through the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 in promoting sustainable use of our valuable and unique environment.

1.8 The Strategy builds on the huge amount of valuable work and initiatives underway at a local, national, regional, and international level that aim to care for the marine and coastal environment. Bringing this work together adds clear leadership, greater co-ordination of efforts, and fresh momentum. Shaped by research and public consultation, the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland seeks to maximise opportunities and minimise threats in addressing the levels of litter present, and recognises that the UK Marine Strategy is a key driver. The Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland has been refreshed to reflect the positive progress made since 2014. Whilst the Strategy summarises existing and ongoing actions, the main focus is the new planned actions that have been agreed as priorities.

1.9 The vision for this lifecycle of the Marine Litter Strategy is a Scotland where the issue of marine and coastal litter is acknowledged by all sectors, and measurable steps are taken to prevent marine litter as well as to support removal initiatives. This will be achieved in co-ordination with the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy and through collaborative work with partners at all levels.

1.10 The purpose of the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland is to drive forward positive action on tackling marine litter, whether through reducing sources of marine litter and preventing litter reaching the marine environment or through supporting initiatives to remove marine litter.

1.11 The implementation and monitoring of the Strategy will continue to be led by Marine Scotland, in a co-ordinating role. It is recognised that responsibility for delivery, however, is shared across local and national government, business, environmental and community groups, and the public.

1.12 The vision for the refreshed Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland is underpinned by five Strategic Directions and a range of actions. Each action has a timeframe, a responsible lead organisation, and a tangible output that can be measured. This is so that Marine Scotland can monitor and demonstrate progress, and to ensure transparency and accountability.

1.13 Appendix A provides further details of the Strategic Directions and planned actions.

This Public Consultation

1.14 The purpose of this public consultation was not to repeat the earlier engagement process progressed by the Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group. Rather, it sought feedback on the draft refreshed Strategy and on the range of new actions that have been identified as priorities to guide Marine Scotland's work up to 2027.

1.15 The consultation and analysis of responses will ensure the right final approach, and findings will be used by Marine Scotland to undertake any amendments deemed necessary to finalise the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland prior to its publication later in 2022.

Other Relevant Strategies and Public Consultations

1.16 The National Litter and Flytipping Strategy is the terrestrial litter strategy for Scotland. The majority of litter in the sea has originated from land, and as such the terrestrial strategy and action plan will directly impact on marine litter levels.

1.17 A Consultation on the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy closed on the 31 March 2022, and independent analysis of responses to that consultation will be used to finalise the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy prior to its publication later in 2022.

1.18 The existence of these two parallel strategies, and the simultaneous consultation that was conducted, is intended to capture all high priority aspects of terrestrial and marine litter. Points raised through the refreshed Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland consultation relating to terrestrial litter have been incorporated specifically at Section 3 and have been shared with the relevant department to enable consideration whilst the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy is finalised. Similarly, points raised through the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy consultation relating to marine litter will be considered, along with all other responses received, whilst the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland is finalised.

1.19 There were few comments related to marine litter raised in the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy. The following, however, was noted in the consultation analysis report produced by Pye Tait Consulting for the Scottish Government:

"Several respondents, mainly organisations, comment on the need to have a consistent national approach to organising, recycling, and disposing of general household waste. Some state that flytipping and littering strategies should look at the bigger picture including packaging, and marine litter".

1.20 Wider information provided by Pye Tait Consulting is as follows:

"Around 20 respondents suggest that marine litter and terrestrial litter strategies are integrated and their databases connected so that both marine and terrestrial litter can be recorded, analysed and dealt with accordingly, and best practices shared and supported. A similar number comment how the marine environment is only just beginning to be recognised for the amount of litter that is damaging wildlife, and that this should be included in the single information point, and/or be part of any community focussed litter education programme. Additionally, respondents suggest that the protection of marine wildlife should be included in research, and in promotional and education campaigns concerning littering and flytipping. One respondent advocates for more investigation into marine litter and responsibilities in relation to areas not under local authority control".

Report Structure

1.21 The remainder of the report is structured as follows:

• Section 2 provides details of the consultation methodology.
• Section 3 covers Strategic Direction 1 (Questions 1 and 2).
• Section 4 covers Strategic Direction 2 (Questions 3 and 4).
• Section 5 covers Strategic Direction 3 (Questions 5 and 6).
• Section 6 covers Strategic Direction 4 (Questions 7 and 8).
• Section 7 covers Strategic Direction 5 (Questions 9 and 10).
• Section 8 covers final points raised through the consultation (Question 11).
• Section 9 provides responses to the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (Question 12).

1.22 The following appendices have also been attached:

• Appendix A lists the planned actions that sit under each Strategic Direction.
• Appendix B provides the frequency tables for all the consultation questions.
• Appendix C provides a summary of potential campaign responses.
• Appendix D provides a classification by organisation type for those organisations that responded to the consultation.
• Appendix E provides details of respondents' wishes regarding the publication (or otherwise) of their consultation response.
• Appendix F presents details of respondent satisfaction with the consultation.
• Appendix G provides a high-level response from Marine Scotland regarding how they will respond to the comments received.