Marine (Scotland) Act 2010
| Act of the Scottish Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision in relation to functions and activities in the Scottish marine area, including provision about marine plans, licensing of marine activities, the protection of the area and its wildlife including seals and regulation of sea fisheries; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2010 asp 5 |
| Territorial extent | Scotland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 10 March 2010 |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 5) is an act of the Scottish Parliament which provides a framework which will help balance competing demands on Scotland's seas. It introduces a duty to protect and enhance the marine environment and includes measures to help boost economic investment and growth in areas such as marine energy.
Provisions
The main measures include:
- Marine planning: a new statutory marine planning system to sustainably manage the increasing, and often conflicting, demands on our seas
- Marine licensing: a simpler licensing system, minimising the number of licences required for development in the marine environment to cut bureaucracy and encourage economic investment[1]
- Marine protection areas: strengthened marine nature and historic conservation with new powers to protect and manage areas of importance for marine wildlife, habitats and historic monuments[2][3]
- Conservation: significantly strengthened protection for seals and a new comprehensive licence system to ensure appropriate management when necessary[4]
- Enforcement: a range of enhanced powers of marine conservation and licensing
Reception
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, welcomed the new law but also called for it to be strengthened.[5]
See also
- Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999
- Marine Directorate, the Scottish Government's marine management directorate
- List of acts of the Scottish Parliament from 2010
- Marine protected area (MPA)
- Conservation biology
- Fisheries management, fish farms
- Marine conservation
- World Commission on Protected Areas
- Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, covering England and Wales
External links
References
- ^ "North Highland College defends seal management award". BBC News. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Why are Highly Protected Marine Areas so controversial?". BBC News. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Scottish Marine Protected Areas scheme to be unveiled". BBC News. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Bill to protect Scottish sea life passed". BBC News. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Marine bill 'should be stronger'". BBC News. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2026.