Scottish Marine Bill Consultation

Scottish Environment LINK’s Marine Task Force would like a Scottish Marine Bill with the environment at its heart, by which we mean it must result in protection and recovery of our marine environment in order to achieve a healthy, functioning marine ecosystem. The marine ecosystem is the foundation which underpins all human activities and therefore ensuring that this is a healthy, well-functioning ecosystem is essential for a sustainable economy. The bill should therefore be founded on the 5 principles of sustainable development: living within environmental limits; ensuring a strong, healthy and just society; achieving a sustainable economy; promoting good governance; and using science responsibly. In addition the Bill must fully transpose our international obligations under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and meet international commitments under OSPAR and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.