Highly Protected Marine Areas - policy framework and site selection guidelines: socio-economic impact assessment – methodology
This initial socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) identifies and assesses potential economic and social effects of HPMAs and proposes a methodology for carrying out the site specific SEIAs.
4 Scoping of Impacts
4.1 Outline scoping
4.1.1 For the purpose of this initial scoping and methodology report, the human activities referred to above (Section 3) and in the Marine Scotland Directorate HPMA Policy Framework, are incorporated and considered under specific marine sectors. It is likely that each human activity will be relevant to multiple marine sectors, and therefore, their impacts are scoped accordingly. Definitions of each sector are provided in Appendix B.
4.1.2 A high-level summary of the outcome of initial scoping is provided in Table 1, and details of the scoping of individual impact pathways for each sector is provided in Appendix A. The initial scoping will be reviewed and refined in light of the specific HPMA proposals.
4.1.3 Aviation was scoped out of the baseline assessment on the basis that no management measures would be required for this sector. Marine aggregates has also been scoped out as there are no current marine aggregate licences or licence applications in Scottish waters. Wild seaweed harvesting has been scoped out because this predominantly occurs above mean low water springs (MLWS) and therefore would be outside of HPMAs.
4.1.4 In addition to whether each sector has been scoped in or out, Table 1 also provides high-level commentary on:
- Type(s) of impact, and whether a priori impacts are anticipated to be low, medium or high (although this can only be quantified once the assessment of proposed sites has been undertaken);
- Risk of upstream and downstream effects (i.e. cost impact only, or GVA impact);
- Potential for displacement of activity to other areas.
4.1.5 Note there is potential overlap with the ecosystem services analysis for coastal defence, fisheries and recreational (recreational fishing, tourism and water sports) impacts.
Table 1 Outcome of Initial Scoping
Sector
Aquaculture (finfish)
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with existing or proposed aquaculture sites
Types of impact
- Removal/ relocation of sites
- Additional licensing costs
- Opportunity costs
Anticipated scale of impact
High
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
Yes
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Aquaculture (shellfish and seaweed)
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with existing or proposed aquaculture sites
Types of impact
- Removal/ relocation of sites
- Additional licensing costs
- Opportunity costs
Anticipated scale of impact
High
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
Yes
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Aviation
Scoped in?
No
Comment
No management would be required for this sector
Sector
Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with potential CCUS locations
Types of impact
- Additional licensing costs
- Deviation of new pipelines
- Opportunity costs
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Coast Protection and Flood Defence
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with coastal protection and flood defence measures if HPMAs are in inshore area
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
No
Sector
Commercial Fisheries
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with commercial fishing activity
Types of impact
- Loss of fishing grounds
- Minimal speed requirement
- Restriction on fixed engines and net and coble fisheries
Anticipated scale of impact
High
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
Yes
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Energy Generation
Scoped in?
Yes
Types of impact
- Additional licensing costs
- Deviation of new cable routes
- Additional mitigation costs
- Opportunity Costs
Anticipated scale of impact
Medium
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes (cables)
Sector
Marine Aggregate Extraction
Scoped in?
No
Comment
No current marine aggregate licences or licence applications in Scottish waters
Sector
Military and Defence
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap of danger areas and practice and exercise areas
Types of impact
- Revision of MESA
- Compliance with MESAT revisions
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
No
Sector
Oil and Gas
Scoped in?
Yes
Types of impact
- Additional licensing costs
- Deviation of new pipelines
- Additional costs for repairs and maintenance and decommissioning
- Opportunity costs
Anticipated scale of impact
Medium
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes (pipelines)
Sector
Ports and Harbours
Scoped in?
Yes
Anticipated scale of impact
Low-Medium
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Power Interconnectors
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with future interconnectors
Types of impact
- Additional assessment costs
- Deviation of new cable routes
Anticipated scale of impact
Low-Medium
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Recreational Fishing
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with recreational fishing activities
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Recreational Boating
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with marinas and anchorages
Types of impact
- Vessel speed restrictions
- Restrictions on anchoring
- Vessel number restrictions
- Additional licensing costs for marinas
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Seabed mining
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
No seabed mining activity currently, but potential management may preclude future activity of the sector in Scottish waters.
Types of impact
- Additional costs for marine license determinations
- Opportunity cost
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Wild Seaweed harvesting
Scoped in?
No
Comment
Seaweed harvesting takes place above MLWS therefore no potential overlap.
Sector
Shipping
Scoped in?
Yes
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
No
Sector
Telecom Cables
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with future telecom cable routes
Types of impact
- Additional licensing costs (new cables in relation to lifeline services)
- Deviation of new cable routes
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes
Sector
Tourism (including heritage assets)
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with wildlife watching areas
Types of impact
- Vessel speed restrictions
- Restrictions on numbers
- Comply with codes of practice
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes (if restrictions on numbers)
Sector
Water sports
Scoped in?
Yes
Comment
Potential overlap with water sports areas
Types of impact
- Vessel speed restrictions
- Restrictions on numbers
Anticipated scale of impact
Low
Risk of upstream and downstream effects
No
Potential for displacement of activity to other areas
Yes (if restrictions on numbers)
Contact
Email: HPMA@gov.scot
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