March 21st, 2011 by ie-adminAs the third session of the Scottish Parliament draws to a close, Scottish Environment LINK says Scotland’s seas are still in desperate need of some T.L.C. Today, LINK publishes a brand new report showing just what needs to be done. All political parties are now challenged to commit to delivering an ecologically coherent network of well-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) during the next Parliamentary session.
The report, written for LINK by independent scientists from the Scottish Association for Marine Science, sets out a series of innovative management measures. It makes clear that management of human activities in and around MPAs is fundamental to their success.
See also: Report | Executive Summary | Briefing
Today Scottish Environment LINK launch a visionary report setting out recommendations for the responsible growth of the fledgling marine renewables energy industry.
“Our report includes recommendations to safeguard the marine environment, thus helping the responsible development of the industry. Our vision is of a thriving industry that will help reduce the causes of climate change and bring secure longterm jobs whilst safeguarding a diverse, productive sea. By setting out clear environmental objectives along with simple, practical solutions, we set out our aims to avoid potential damage or conflict from the outset.
We are concerned that the proposals do not offer a serious improvement to the current voluntary approach to Deer Management Planning, organised by the network of Scottish Deer Management Groups. We believe that the current voluntary approach to deer management planning has been given a chance over at least a decade or more and has proved largely ineffective, as evidenced by the recent Scottish Government response to Parliamentary questions on this subject. We think that Deer Management Groups need enhanced Scottish Government support to deliver effective deer management planning as part of wider sustainable land use planning and delivery of public goods…
Following a decade of campaigning by members of Scottish Environment LINK, and the passing of the Marine (Scotland) Bill by the Scottish Parliament on 4th February, today’s Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen creates the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.
After almost ten years of campaigning, we are delighted that we now have a Marine (Scotland) Act. We particularly welcome the duty to protect and enhance our seas, a marine planning system that includes environmental targets and a duty to deliver a network of marine protected areas…
"After almost ten years of campaigning, it is great that the Scottish Parliament has passed a bill that will improve the health of Scotland’s seas. We particularly welcome the duty to protect and enhance our seas, a marine planning system that includes environmental targets and a duty to deliver a network of marine protected areas."
LINK Marine taskforce welcomes the passing of the Marine (Scotland) Bill.
Scottish Environment LINK today published “Living with the Land”, a paper outlining proposed content for the Sustainable Land Use Strategy (SLUS)
"For too long we in Scotland have lived off the land, now we need to live with the land. Instead of land being viewed as simply a resource to be exploited for profit and pleasure, we must learn to nurture and sustain the natural qualities of all of our land because its health is absolutely essential to people’s well-being
Calum Duncan, the Convener of Scottish Environment LINK’s Marine Task Force has called for all parties in the Scottish Parliament to continue their progress towards a strong Marine Bill…
Sustainable flood management, good for people and biodiversity! LINK welcomes the passing of the new Bill on flooding. This is a major opportunity to have more sustainable approaches for the management of flood risk.
Scotland’s environment groups welcome the Scottish Marine Bill
After years of campaigning, we are delighted to see a Marine Bill before the Scottish Parliament. This Bill is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure that our seas are adequately protected and sustainably managed, so that future generations can benefit from them as we have.
As the Bill progresses, it is now crucial that we get it right. Healthy seas are the foundation on which all other activities at sea depend and therefore need to be at the very heart of what the Bill is for. A healthy marine ecosystem underpins the productivity of our seas: human induced changes to this ecosystem result not only in the decline of marine wildlife, but also in damage to the economy, as fishing, wildlife tourism and other industries suffer the consequences.’
Scottish Environment Week brings together politicians, businesses, officials, environmentalists and people from all walks of life to celebrate Scotland’s environment. Since its inception in 2003, the week has become a popular fixture in the parliamentary calendar, and MSPs from all parties will be attending events celebrating the many facets of Scotland’s environment.
The Week creates an opportunity to focus on the importance of our environment and its value to the society and economy of Scotland. All of the Week’s events take place in the Scottish Parliament.
