In a letter to John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Mr Lochhead said no decision should be taken until the concerns raised by SNH on the possible impact on the local bottlenose dolphin population have been addressed.

Speaking after SNH submitted their formal response to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform consultation on the issue, Mr Lochhead said: "I appreciate that oil and gas exploration and exploitation is critically important to the Scottish and UK economies, but this needs to be balanced with our environmental responsibilities.

"We must be satisfied that there will be no adverse effect on the integrity of the special area of conservation in the Moray Firth and its local bottlenose dolphin population. This is a protected area for these dolphins and a spot that is popular for environmental tourism.

"I strongly support the recommendations for further work made by Scottish Natural Heritage and would urge the UK Government to address them before making a final decision on oil and gas activities in the inner Moray Firth."

Scottish Natural Heritage has recommended further work on the appropriate assessment in respect of Block 17/3 in the Moray Firth and the possible impact on the local dolphin population.

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