Shipping Study of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters

2. OVERVIEW OF PROJECT

Marine Scotland, the part of the Scottish Government responsible for marine management in Scottish waters, has commissioned the study of shipping activity to better inform the marine spatial plan pilot for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Strategic Area. The aim of this process is to ensure there is good knowledge of the use of these waters by all stakeholders so that future developments do not inadvertently impact on important existing activities.

The PFOW Strategic Area is shown in Figure 2.1. This includes the names of key islands and channels used throughout the document. (Where other place names or features are mentioned their locations have been described in a footnote.)

Figure 2.1 Overview of Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Strategic Area

The study is interested in all Commercial Shipping and Recreational Vessel activity, including yachts (cruising and racing), power boats, motor cruisers, recreational and sports fishing (e.g. sea angling), wildlife cruises and recreational diving, etc.

Commercial fishing (under license) was excluded from the work as Marine Scotland has recently carried out ScotMap, a pilot study in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters to gain a more detailed understanding of inshore fishing activity in Scottish Territorial Waters. Military / naval vessel activity was also excluded.

Marine Scotland is planning a further study on tourism and recreation activities which will include sea kayaking, surfing and other marine-based recreational activities. Therefore, this activity was not considered in detail although kayakers were included in the questionnaire.

More generally, the study complements other research by Marine Scotland, such as Scotland's Marine Atlas (Ref. [i]).