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Publication - Impact assessment

Outer Firth of Forth and St. Andrews Bay Complex Special Protection Area: business and regulatory impact assessment

Published
3 December 2020
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Economy, Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries
ISBN
9781800043671

An assessment of the business and regulatory impacts of classifying the Outer Firth of Forth and St. Andrews Bay Complex Special Protection Area.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Appendix A - Ecosystem Services Benefits, Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex

Summary of Ecosystem Services Benefits arising from Classification of the Site as an SPA
Services Relevance
to Site 		Baseline Level Estimated Impacts of Classification Value Weighting Scale of Benefits Confidence
Lower Intermediate Upper
Fish for human consumption Moderate, benthic habitats contributes to the food web Stocks not at MSY Nil Low, recovery of fish stocks possible in medium to long term from protection of benthic features Moderate, recovery of fish stocks possible in medium to long term due to extent of protection of benthic features Low Low Moderate
Fish for non-human consumption Stocks reduced from potential maximum
Gas and climate regulation Minimal Minimal Nil Low Nil High
Non-use value of natural environment Moderate - High, large number of bird species across extensive site, and contribution of the site to MPA network, have non-use value. Non-use value of the site may decline Minimal, protection of features of site Low, maintain features of site Low - Moderate, protection of features of site from decline, and/or allowing some recovery, but main habitats within site already protected Moderate - High, range of features, and iconic locations (e.g. Bass Rock) are comparable to other bird-rich marine areas in UK (e.g. Farne Islands, Pembrokeshire Islands), which have high non-use value (Kenter et al. 2013). Low - Moderate Moderate, response of feature to management measures, and value to society, uncertain
Recreation Moderate - High, wildlife tourism and recreation at site Recreation value of the site may decline Minimal Low, protection of features of site that contribute to recreation Low - Moderate, protection of features of site that contribute to recreation from decline Moderate, recreation and tourism support jobs, but substitutes are available. Low - Moderate. Low, extent of change from management measures, including in context of climate-induced changes uncertain.
Research and Education Moderate - High, features have research value (e.g. long term study on Isle of May) Value of site may decline Minimal Low, protection maintains future research opportunities. Classification may play role in communicating management needs. Moderate for opportunity to understand response of range of features to management. Low Low – Moderate, extent to which research uses site in future uncertain.
Total value of changes in ecosystem services Minimal for lower scenario, Low - moderate for intermediate and upper scenarios. Based on recreational and non-use value of site. Low - Moderate Moderate

Contact

Email: marine_conservation@gov.scot

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