Planning Scotland's Seas: 2013 - Possible Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas Consultation Overview - Strategic Environmental Assessment Report

7.0 Next Steps

7.1 The consultation on the possible nature conservation MPAs and the accompanying Environmental Report, Sustainability Appraisal Report and BRIAs is now open, and will close on 13 November 2013. Views on this Environmental Report, and the possible nature conservation MPAs, are now invited.

7.2 Following the consultation period, the responses received will be analysed, and the findings from this analysis will be taken into account in the finalisation of the possible MPAs. Once the MPAs have been "adopted", i.e. through designation orders under section 67 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, a Post-Adoption Statement will be prepared, reflecting on the findings of the assessment and the consultation, and outlining how the issues raised have been addressed.

7.3 Copies of the consultation document (2013 Possible Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas Consultation Overview), the Environmental Report, the Sustainability Appraisal Report and the BRIAs are available for viewing during office hours at the Scottish Government library at Saughton House, Edinburgh (K Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD).

7.4 Please send your comments, including a Respondent Information Form, to the Marine Scotland MPA team, by 13 November 2013.

By email to: Marine_Environment_Mailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or

By post, to:

MPA Network Consultation
Scottish Government
Marine Planning and Policy Division
Area 1-A South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

7.5 If you have any inquiries please send them to Marine_Environment_Mailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or telephone Sebastian Howell on 0131 244 5301, Michael McLeod on 0131 244 5562 or Paul Cook on 0131 244 0381.