More protection for shellfish waters
The new designations, which include five in Shetland, create four new sites and extend three existing sites, increasing the number of protected Scottish waters to 112.The new designations reflect the growth of Scotland's shellfish industry and will assist in its further development.Minister for Environment Michael Russell said:"The Shellfish industry in Scotland is an excellent example of sustainable development, providing employment in some of Scotland's most remote areas."Worth around £5 million every year, it is also a significant asset to rural economies."Scotland's water quality gives our shellfish growers a competitive edge when selling mussels, oysters and scallops worldwide."The designation of these seven new sites will not only offer protection to shellfish growing in these waters, but also to other flora and fauna, which depend on a clean and healthy water environment.
"I believe these new designations will assist the industry in growing sustainably but also be a positive move for the wider marine environment."
Under the 1997 Regulations, which implement the Shellfish Waters Directive (2006/113/EC) in Scotland, measures are required to both protect and improve the waters that sustain shellfish life, and contribute to the quality of shellfish for human consumption.
