Led by the Scottish Government, Shetland is one of just four pilot projects falling under the umbrella of the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI) selected to explore different approaches to sustainable management of marine resources.

Following two years of working with some local marine users and partner agencies, Shetland’s project officer, Dr Lorraine Gray of the NAFC Marine Centre, is opening up the Shetland Marine Spatial Plan for consultation.

The Plan presents a number of Shetland-wide policies, which highlight the considerations required for particular marine activities, complemented by a number of detailed maps advising on important features to avoid, such as the location of human activities, cultural and natural resources and management boundaries. The central storage of information should enhance the decision making process by allowing planners, regulators and developers to be better informed as to what is currently occurring where. Most importantly, the Plan will uphold an integrated approach to a productive marine and coastal environment.

“In the past, some people may have felt excluded from the planning process,” said Dr Lorraine Gray, “which is why the Scottish Government has led this pilot – to test a more integrated and efficient marine planning service.”

The outcomes of each of the four pilots – in Shetland, the Clyde, Berwickshire coast and the Sound of Mull – will be evaluated and considered by Government when it considers a new Scottish Marine Bill.

Martin Holmes, Shetland’s coastal zone manager said: “The success of the Shetland Marine Spatial Plan hinges on developers and environmental consultants referring to it before they lodge an application for a works licence or planning permission and in all stakeholders consulting it when a proposal for a new development arises.”

The Plan is available for consultation from February 20 for 12 weeks until May 16. A wide variety of marine stakeholders and users, including local fishermen, fish farmers, community councils, SEPA and Scottish Natural Heritage, will have received the documents for their comment. The documents will also be available at the Shetland Library and on the NAFC Marine Centre’s website for public reference. Lorraine Gray will also be attending Community Council meetings over the consultation period.

Dr Gray added: “We are looking for feedback on how the Plan will impact upon their work, as well as their opinion on whether it will add value to the current planning regime.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in marine and coastal issues and the local environment to read the information and comment on it. All responses will be considered and articulated in a final review report, which will be submitted to the Scottish Government for their consideration.”

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