Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan. Consultation Analysis and Modifications Report.
The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan is a pilot process undertaken by a working group consisting of Marine Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and Highland Council in advance of statutory regional marine planning. This report presents an
10. General Policy 1C: Safeguarding the marine ecosystem
10.1 Summary of responses received
| Stakeholder | Count |
|---|---|
| Commercial | 2 |
| Fisheries and aquaculture | 1 |
| Individual | 1 |
| Non-governmental organisation | 1 |
| Public sector | 4 |
| Recreation | 1 |
| TOTAL | 10 |
10.2 Main themes
10.2.1 The respondents generally welcomed this policy, the commitment to contributing to Marine Strategy Framework Directive targets, the ecosystems approach and that a high quality marine ecosystem is a 'fundamental requirement for its intrinsic value and as a basis for sustainable development'.
10.2.2 One stakeholder (public sector) noted that there was more clarity required as regards what the concerns highlighted in the text refer to and how the Plan will contribute to solving them. This stakeholder noted this policy or the Commercial Fisheries policy should set out which fish species are a concern and also suggested more clarity on the importance of ecosystem services to distinguish this policy from those relating specifically to water quality and marine biodiversity.
10.2.3 The same stakeholder welcomed the commitment to contributing to Marine Strategy Framework Directive targets and noted that future Regional Marine Plans could set out in broad terms the condition of the region in relation to the condition of the relevant European Region/sub region. It was also noted it would be useful to include some form of measure of whether the policies are making a positive contribution to the targets.
10.2.4 Scottish Water noted that mixing zones for final effluent discharges and receiving waters may not be compatible with some other uses and activities. It was noted that impacts are managed by licence conditions issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under the Controlled Activities Regulations ( CAR). They also noted they will invest to protect the marine environment where there is sound scientific evidence that investment will achieve the desired outcome.
10.2.5 A response from the fisheries sector noted that chemicals used in the aquaculture industry have an impact on developmental stages of commercial crustaceans. This stakeholder felt there should be rigorous independent monitoring and testing of such activities.
10.2.6 A stakeholder from the renewable energy sector suggested that the marine environment exists in a 4D rather than a 3D system if time is taken into account. This stakeholder also pointed out that changes to seabird populations could be entirely natural and that, as this is outwith anyone's control, development should not be limited in response to this.
Table 10.1 General Policy 1C Safeguarding the marine ecosystem - Table of suggested modifications
| No. | Suggested modification | Action taken | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | Change 3D to 'three dimensional' | PARAGRAPH 133: Change 3D to: 'three dimensional'. | To accommodate request. |
| 111 | Policy 1C has a different format/wording to that of 1A and 1B due to the presence of the initial sentence. Suggest that this is either removed or included as a bullet point to maintain conformity. | POLICY TEXT: First sentence deleted and new bullet point added 'Safeguard the integrity of coastal and marine ecosystems'. | To accommodate request. |
| 112 | Clarify use of word targets and in Information Box 3 add text in italics 'This will be done through adherence to environmental targets, for which…'. | None. | As the section is discussing 'good environmental status' and the marine ecosystem, it is felt that the existing text is unambiguous. |
| 113 | Articulate more clearly the importance of ecosystem services to distinguish policy from those relating to water quality and marine biodiversity. | TEXT ADDED before first sentence of PARAGRAPH 135: 'The marine ecosystem delivers a variety of goods, such as food resources, and services, such as waste assimilation and treatment, which are beneficial to human society as well as maintaining ecosystem functioning'.* *Frid, C. et al (2011) Marine Planning and Management to Maintain Ecosystem Goods and Services. In The Ecosystem Approach to Marine Planning and Management [Eds, Kidd, Plater & Frid].Earthscan, London. |
To accommodate request. |
| 114 | Para. 137. Add text to clarify what the problems are and how the Plan will contribute to solving them. | PARAGRAPH 136: Footnote added at to refer reader to the Marine Atlas. | To accommodate request. |
| 115 | Set out which fish species are of concern and cross reference to Commercial Fisheries policy. | As above. | To accommodate request. |
| 116 | Reference should be made to the UK's Shared Framework: Principles of Sustainable Development'. | No action taken. | A definition of sustainable development is provided; an exhaustive list of documents that could be added would excessively add to the Plan, which was suggested by some as already being too long. |
| 117 | Para. 133. Suggestion that marine environment is 4D rather than 3D if time is taken into account. | No action taken. | In this context, it is felt the text is appropriate as it refers to the physical properties of the marine environment. |
| 118 | Acknowledge that some changes in e.g. bird populations could be entirely natural and development should not be limited by something beyond anyone's control. | No action taken. | Any development would consider the environmental aspects on a case-by-case basis: the text does not suggest developers would be responsible for aspects beyond their control but would have to consider aspects where they could have a significant impact due to their development. |
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