Plan to exploit marine potential

Published Date: 15 July 2008
By JOHN ROSS

A PROPOSED planning regime for Scotland's seas will help to exploit offshore development potential, it was revealed yesterday.
A consultation document published yesterday said the planned Marine Bill will adopt a "presumption of use".But the Scottish Government stressed that the bill would promote renewable energy and other business opportunities without damaging the environment or wildlife.Richard Lochhead, the environment secretary, who launched the consultation, said: "The seas are a major asset for Scotland and generate more than £2.2 billion for the Scottish economy. We have huge potential to increase economic growth from our seas, but need to do so in a sustainable way."Bertie Armstrong, the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said: "We had hoped to see a presumption for use in the document and we are pleased to see it's there. We want to see that carried on into the legislation."Under the proposals, a new organisation, Marine Scotland, would be established, although its status has yet to be decided. It could be part of government, an agency, like Historic Scotland, or a separate body, such as Scottish Natural Heritage.