New marine management body up and running

Marine Scotland has direct responsibility for marine science, planning, policy development, management and compliance monitoring measures.

The current functions of Fisheries Research Services (FRS), the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) and the Scottish Government's Marine Directorate are brought together under the new organisation.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said consultations had showed widespread support for a new, integrated body to provide a stable framework within which business such as marine renewables can take long term investment decisions, while at the same time ensuring the thousands of species that inhabit our seas areprotected.

“The establishment of Marine Scotland marks a significant step towards a more integrated, simpler and efficient marine management system - but it is just the beginning.“We will shortly bring forward a Marine Bill that will provide a sustainable future for our waters, and build on existing arrangements to provide the foundations for Marine Scotland's work," he said.

Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive, Scottish Fisherman's Federation commented:"We recognise there will be a number of challenges and so will do our very best to form a partnership with Marine Scotland and work closely with them to ensure that what fishing needs and what the nation needs from the sustainable harvesting of fish from the sea happens via Marine Scotland."