Scotland's National Marine Plan

5. A Guide to Sector Chapters

Part 1: Objectives and marine planning policies

5.1 This section outlines how marine industries and activities are expected to develop in the immediate future and in the longer term and the issues to be addressed to ensure they grow sustainably. Objectives may be achievable over the life of this Plan, or may set the direction for longer-term achievement.

5.2 Marine planning policies which address the key issues for marine planning are set out, where these are not already covered by the General Policies set out in Chapter 4. Policies have been shaped by the consultation process and the levels of prescription may reflect issues raised during that the process, the current evidence base, the level of maturity of the sector under consideration and links to existing regulation.

5.3 Policies for each sector should be read subject to those set out as General Policies in Chapter 4 of this Plan, and also in conjunction with all other sectoral policies. As set out in Paragraph 3.9 symbols are used to demonstrate where sectoral objectives and policies support the strategic objectives.

5.4 Regional policies set out considerations for regional marine planners. The precise approach and coverage of the regional plan will be for Marine Planning Partnerships to determine based on local priorities and taking account of existing partnerships, methodologies and alignment with other local plans.

Key references

5.5 This sets out key reference sources which may provide useful context. It also contains information on where to access relevant spatial data on National Marine Plan interactive ( NMPi).

Part 2: Background and context

5.6 This section provides a brief introduction to each sector and gives context to its importance.

Part 3: Key issues for marine planning

5.7 For each sector, key issues which can be addressed through national and regional marine planning for the relevant sector to develop sustainably are considered, where these are not already covered by the General Policies set out in Chapter 4. Key issues include:

• Supporting economically productive activities: Marine industries and activities contribute significantly to sustainable economic growth. This section explores how marine planning can support or facilitate growth within that sector.
• Interactions with other users: As use of marine resources increases, interactions between users are expected to increase. Marine planning can help address conflict or promote synergy and this section discusses some of the interactions marine planning can address.
• Living within environmental limits: Many marine activities impact on the natural environment and ecosystem functioning. Scotland's Marine Atlas: Information for the National Marine Plan identifies many of these impacts; and this section considers these, with a focus on those which marine planning can address.
• Climate change: Climate change and the associated effects for the marine environment will impact on some marine activities. Some marine activities may contribute to human induced climate change. Hence climate change is discussed in the context of mitigating climate change, and promoting adaptation to its consequences.

Part 4: The Future

5.8 The Future section presents a forward look for a sector, allowing future planning requirements to be considered.

Maps

5.9 If a map is provided, it can be found at the end of the chapter.