Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan. Consultation Report

I would like to see a balanced situation in the Pentland/Orkney waters area - by that I mean that all the key aspects regarding current and future developments (or even non-developments if they would cause problems) should have, and know their place, within the total Marine environment. The danger will be if any one single activity or priority becomes imbalanced vs. the rest - that would not only stoke up resentment but would probably lead over the longer term to unintended harmful consequences. I have no objections whatsoever to Marine Renewables development, but there is a danger that it could overwhelm other economically beneficial activities in the area. Nature also has a habit of "biting back" so great care needs to be taken to achieve and retain a dynamic but manageable balance

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

The PFYC as an organisation generally supports the exploitation of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters for commercial purposes as long as this is carried out in a caring manner that protects the environment, the amenities and allows existing users continuing access - although with acceptable compromises.

We would be resistant to arguments from developers and their investors that they must have more than their share to make a project financially viable if this means the compromises are unacceptable to existing users.

We don't believe that exploitation or revenue or job creation should take priority but should be part of the mix.

So we would like to see a vibrant area rich in flora, fauna, archaeology, geology etc. with a mix of uses that are successful both commercially and socio-economically where no user can dominate; and existing users have accepted reasonable compromises to allow these new users.

All these comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

A highly sustainable commercial inshore fishery with its own 'bottom up' governance over both wild fin-fish, shellfish stocks and effort where sufficient economic returns and status of the industry are such that young people are keen to join the industry. A renewed confidence and affirmation of the importance of fishing. An environment of minimal disruptive industrial permanence.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

We consider that the specific vision for the Plan area should be developed primarily through consultation with local communities. However, in line with our mission statement (All of Nature for All of Scotland) and remit, our aspiration would be that the vision developed for PFOW should value the area's valuable and distinctive natural heritage and enhance opportunities for this to contribute to the well-being of local residents and visitors. More specifically, we refer you to our updated Natural Heritage Futures prospectus for Orkney and North Caithness (see original 2002 document at http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A306319.pdf with 2009 update at http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A306318.pdf). This prospectus describes what is distinctive to this region, provides a vision for the natural heritage for 2025, and sets out objectives and actions required to pursue that vision.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan and will be shaped by all the consultation comments provided.

All water bodies in the area are currently at good or high ecological status. SEPA's vision for 20 years time is for the good quality of the water environment in the area to be maintained. Opportunity for enhancement and improved working practices will have been taken wherever possible, for example in relation to reducing litter on beaches from shipping and visitors and ensuring that the spread of marine non native species has been avoided.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

No comments.

Noted.

Scottish Water has no comment

Noted.

Having seen only minor changes in the last 40 years, I think we are entering a period of much more rapid change. This could lead to rampant exploitation if not handled effectively. I would hope for a balance of energy production, existing usage and protection of the wildlife and habitats. I would hope that the area could become a model of success for other areas, balancing out the industrial, commercial , environmental and cultural aspects of this unique area where the waters of the Atlantic and the North Sea merge.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

There are great opportunities for the marine tourist industry. I could see Orkney as being the jumping off point for cruising around Shetland and Norway. For this to happen there would need to be an increase in facilities such as yacht storage and maintenance. The building of the marinas has been a good start but with the correct vision there is still a long way to go.

Coupled with the above there could be various add-ons. I would like to see the various RYA training schemes spread out to cover all the small boat activities so that everybody who goes on the water has had some form of training. This could also cover the Green Blue scheme.

Since the Tall Ships in Shetland there has been some activity in enabling young people to get some experience in sea training on board various training ships. This needs to be expanded to take in schools and youth clubs. Part of the costs of this can come from the children and clubs raising the money from such things as bag packing. A small sail training ship such as the Shetland STS Swan could also be used by the various firms associated with renewables for bonding exercises.

Fin fish farming could see a large change with the development of onshore farming. This would do away with most of the pollution hence cleaner waters and less infectious diseases with wild fish.

Orkney Harbour's tugs and pilot boats based at the Scapa pier use a lot of fuel meeting ships in the Pentland Firth, Flotta and Stromness. In order to cut down on pollution and costs caused by burning fuel they need to be based in Flotta. It is also not without the bonds of imagination that these same tugs should be used in the renewables industry.

The marine renewables industry have yet to find out how much power they can generate using arrays. The latest findings, based on theory, indicate that tidal generation is less than originally estimated. This does seem to be a case of where 1 +1 does not equal 2. If this is the case for wave as well then maintenance resources may be far less than originally thought.

All these comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

A highly sustainable commercial inshore fishery with its own 'bottom up' devolved governance over both wild fin-fish and shellfish stocks, and where these devolved management measures directly lead to greater economic returns for inshore fishermen.

Shared and non-conflicting use of marine space across traditional and "new" industry sectors.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

RYAS acts to protect its members' rights of navigation and to ensure their safety. It also supports the development of its affiliated clubs and teaching establishments. The PFOW area is an important area for recreational boating both for local people and for visitors, although it is unlikely to ever be as busy as, for example, the west coast. Indeed, a low density of recreational craft is part of the attraction of parts of the PFOW area. Our vision is for a sustainable marine recreational sector in an area prized for its natural and human heritage.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

We hope the PFOW area will, as a result of a well-formulated marine spatial plan, succeed in being a vibrant and prosperous community with through sustainable development and protection of natural, cultural and historic assets be enjoyed by all recreational users.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

We hope that in decades to come the PFOW area will, as a result of a well-formulated marine spatial plan, succeed in being a vibrant and prosperous community through sustainable development and protection of natural, cultural and historic assets. We also hope that people are able to continue to enjoy this environment through paddlesport.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

We would like to see a fair and sustainable balance between different sectors. A full understanding of the recreational sector, and clarity that this includes sport. We would like to see the recreation sector promoted and supported and opportunities for its sustainable growth supported and facilitated. We want to see the sector involved and consulted on the decision making processes. It is important that the special qualities of the area for sport and recreation are protected and enhanced.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

We believe that the vision for the PFOW area should reflect the strategic importance of the PFOW in terms of wave and tidal resource and the key role the area will play in the development of commercial scale wave and tidal energy, the success of which will form the cornerstone of the growth of the wave and tidal industry in Scotland. The plan's vision and objectives should also recognise the economic opportunities that the wave and tidal industry offers to Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney as well as the importance of the area's contribution to the wider Scottish economy.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

In addition to this, the vision and objectives for the plan should reference the need to tackle climate change, and in particular reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to it in accordance with the Marine (Scotland) Act, which states that Scottish Ministers and public bodies must act in a way best calculated to mitigate, and adapt to, climate change so far as is consistent with the purpose of the function concerned. The development of wave and tidal energy in the PFOW area has the potential to contribute to the targets for emissions reductions through the mitigation of climate change impacts via the displacement of greenhouse gas emissions.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision and objectives within the Draft Plan.

AP121: Climate change will be a policy area within the Draft Plan.

Given the role of the plan in delivering the objectives of Scotland's National Marine Plan, we would urge complementarity between the two documents. The National Marine Plan summarises the Scottish Government's vision for the marine environment as "clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas, managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people". This vision is shared by the four UK administrations and the Marine Policy Statement ( MPS), which is jointly adopted by the administrations, is an important step in achieving the vision.

Noted.

Delivery of the Scottish Government's vision will be enhanced further by the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive which sets the framework for Good Environmental Status ( GES) to be achieved or maintained by 2020. The Directive sets out 11 descriptors which provide the outcomes that would constitute GES.

Noted.

Therefore, in order to ensure consistency between the National Marine Plan and the plan, we would recommend that the plan sets the same objectives as the National Marine Plan to help deliver the Scottish Government's vision for the marine environment.

The marine spatial plan will be consistent with the National Marine Plan and the MPS. It is not considered appropriate for the Draft Plan to have the same objectives as the NMP as regional marine planning should articulate a regionally derived vision and objectives.

The vision should align with that set out in the UK Marine Policy Statement where the PFOWs are ' clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse.' The Scottish Government's vision for the marine environment extends the UK Policy to include '... managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people.'

The marine spatial plan vision will be consistent with the National Marine Plan and the MPS.

Whilst terrestrial planning does not extend across the greater part of the marine spatial plan area, the vision of the terrestrial plans ( e.g. Local Development Plans) will be relevant.

Noted.

For example, pages 13-17 of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan set out a vision for Highland followed by vision and spatial strategy for Caithness and Sutherland; see http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/93148364-903F-48D3-AA7C-81468BC05C95/0/HwLDP_WEB.pdf

This information will inform the preparation of the vision and objectives within the Draft Plan.

Additionally the Council is in the early stages of preparing the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan and one of the outputs from the Wick and Thurso Charrettes held in February 2013 is an early draft 'Caithness Vision' which will be further developed and consulted upon as we move forward with preparation of the LDP; see http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/4BB3DB50-7844-4501-90E6-C796488DF942/0/ReportoftheWickandThursoCharrettes4CaithnessMEDIUMRES.pdf

Noted

Furthermore the CNSRP's vision for Caithness and North Sutherland will also be relevant; see http://www.cnsrp.org.uk/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=82

Noted.

The vision to be prepared for the future of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters area should align with and fit these.

Noted.

Scotland is home to some of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world and the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters are the jewel in the crown of our huge marine energy resource. A recent study by Oxford University confirmed that the Firth is the best site in the world for tidal energy.

Noted.

We would like to see the area fully utilizing this huge resource and securing the full range of benefits that flow from it.

Noted.

Recent work by Baringa has shown that with the right policy and financial support, the development of renewable generation in the PFOW area could secure significant socioeconomic benefits to the local economies through the creation of direct, indirect and induced jobs. The analysis suggests that by 2020 some 416 full time jobs could be created in Orkney, and by 2030, that number could rise to over 4,500.

This information will inform the preparation of the vision and objectives within the Draft Plan.

According to the report, the vast majority of these jobs in Orkney would flow from wave and tidal generation which is labour intensive in the early years, providing the opportunity to develop local supply chains and export expertise.

Noted.

In addition, the development of the wave and tidal energy in the PFOW area will play a crucial role in the achievement of both the Scottish Government's decarbonisation and climate change targets.

Noted.

AP122: Climate change will be a policy area within the Draft Plan.

The vision should be consistent with the Scottish Government's vision of ' clean, healthy, safe, productive, biologically diverse marine and coastal environments, managed to meet the long-term needs of people and nature.'

Noted.

Page 30, Paragraph 8.1

It should be stated clearly over what period the plan is likely to cover. For instance, is the plan to be reviewed every 5-years or will it be a 20-year plan (as mentioned in Paragraph 8.7)? The chosen period will have significant implications over the assumptions in the plan; particularly in relation to marine renewables as this is a fast moving sector from a technology perspective and is likely to go through several iterations in the coming years and decades.

AP123: Set out the framework for monitoring and reviewing the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot marine spatial plan in the Draft Plan. This work will likely be taken forward by the subsequent Marine Planning Partnerships.

Page 31, Paragraph 8.7

A 20-year look ahead is ambitious. Is this to be re-visited every 5-years?

The Marine (Scotland) Act does not specify a statutory review period. It is anticipated that the Plan will be review approximately every 5 years following adoption.

Question 9, Page 31

In 20-years time it would be good to see that we have managed to capture some of the marine energy within the area through renewable sources without interference to current activities.

This work will likely be taken forward by the subsequent Marine Planning Partnerships.

That Pentland Firth and Orkney waters become established as the world leading location for the production of energy from the sea. And that this achievement is safeguard by the continuous adoption of a positive approach to further exploitation of our sustainable resources to the benefit of Orkney and it's neighbouring communities.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

SSPO would wish to see the PFOW area as one in which the salmon farming industry has confidence to invest, to create jobs and to create sustainable economic growth in remote rural and island communities, as it has been doing for the past 40 years with great success.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

Comments in Question 19 box.

Noted.

Comments in Question 19 box.

Noted.

Windfarms especially will destroy the North East for very little benefit and to the detriment of health and wellbeing for man and nature.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

HIE's vision for the future of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters is to continue its leading edge of being at the forefront of wave and tidal energy development. We would like to have fully commercialised sites, home to arrays of wave and tidal devices producing up to 1.6 GW of marine energy feeding into the national grid, the area to be a centre of excellence for Research, Development and Deployment; quality ports, harbours and onshore infrastructure and for the economy of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters to be buoyant, providing high value jobs combined with quality of life in the area. We would also like to see a commercially prosperous supply chain and operations and maintenance industry situated in the HIE region. HIE is currently working with Scottish Enterprise to deliver NRIP 3 which focuses on the infrastructure needs of the marine sector, including within the PFOW area, this will be published in September 2013.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.

Comments in Question 19 box.

Noted.

The SFF would share a vision of a productive, sustainable economy in the PFOW area, based on co-existence of the different economic users and demands on the area.

These comments will inform the preparation of the vision within the Draft Plan.