Marine Protected Area network: 2024 report to the Scottish Parliament

7. Managing the Scottish MPA network

The Scottish MPA network covers a diverse array of marine habitats, wildlife, geology, landforms and historic shipwrecks. Various approaches to management are needed to ensure we realise the benefits of these MPAs.

Work continues to develop and implement necessary management measures.

The following principles guide management of the Scottish MPA network:

• Supporting the sustainable use of Scotland's seas
• Following a risk-based approach
• Using the precautionary principle when required
• Providing opportunities for stakeholder involvement
• Adopting an adaptive approach i.e. responding as our knowledge evolves
• Adopting an ecosystem-based approach

Conservation objectives have been agreed for the MPAs within the Scottish MPA network. These objectives describe what the sites are trying to achieve and are used to determine whether new activities or development can be consented and, if so, how they can proceed. The results of monitoring will continue to help measure whether the objectives are being achieved. A summary of the objectives for each MPA is provided in Annex 5, along with our assessment of progress towards achieving them. For most sites the assessments are partial, which reflects our work still in progress for achieving the MPA objectives.

For each site, consideration is given to the need for specific management, over and above the general protective provisions provided by the Marine Acts. There are now 28 MPAs that have specific fisheries management measures in place. A total of five Marine Conservation Orders, under section 85 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, are currently in force, as detailed in Annex 6 (one additional since 2018). Further measures are currently being developed in consultation with stakeholders, including from the fishing industry. For more information see Section 8.

No management schemes have yet been established for any MPA designated under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 or the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009). Recognising that species and habitats do not abide by administrative borders, the MarPAMM (Marine Protected Area Management and Monitoring) project was set up as a collaborative project to develop tools to manage and monitor MPAs across the west of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It has produced six management plans, two of which, for Argyll and the Outer Hebrides, are in Scotland. These management plans are non-statutory and were developed based on significant engagement with stakeholders.

It is the responsibility of all public authorities to ensure that their decision making is informed by the statutory duties that afford protection to sites within the MPA network. This applies equally to their own functions as well as when determining whether to consent activities which they regulate.

Since the previous report a significant amount of work has gone into developing useful tools to help support the effective management of MPAs. These are available online via the Marine Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot and JNCC websites:

• Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FEAST) – Information on the sensitivity of habitats and species to pressures from human activity.
• Fisheries Guidance Notes – Evidence on the interaction between fishing gears and specific habitats and species.
• Marine Heritage web pages – Advice and support on protecting Scotland's marine heritage, including information on Historic MPAs.
• Marine Scotland Maps (NMPi) – Viewing the MPA network, management measures, and data on marine habitats and species.
• Site Information Centres – Information on the MPAs designated in Scottish offshore waters.
• Site LINK – Information on the MPAs in Scottish territorial and offshore waters, including site boundaries, designated features and supporting documents such as Conservation and Management Advice.
• Scottish Government MPA webpages – Information on the approach taken to develop and implement MPA management.
• Spatial Data Hub – To download boundaries of MPAs.