The Scottish Government has contacted local authorities regarding Scotland's first National Marine Plan (NMP).
It has also put forward proposals for new conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The National Marine Plan aims to provide a single framework to guide sustainable use and development of Scotland's seas.
In response to the plan, Argyll and Bute Council said it supported the objectives and policies to ensure a sustainable development of key economic growth sectors, such as aquaculture, fishing and marine renewables. Subsequently, the local authority has said this will create further job creation among its communities.
In relation to a new network of nature conservation MPAs, it is hoped to increase protection for the country's marine habitats and species.
Five inshore areas of Argyll and Bute have been included in the consultation – Upper Loch Fyne and Loch Goil, Loch Sween, Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura, Loch Creran and the Clyde Sea Sill – as well as two areas located close to Argyll and Bute – the Loch Sunart and South Arran.
Policy Lead for Sustainable Environment, Renewables and Strategic Tourism, Councillor Vivien Dance, said: "It was reassuring to see that the vision, objectives, challenges, and policy guidance detailed in the draft plan are consistent with the council's current policy and priorities and we have made a number of recommendations to further improve the policy framework, which will provide greater clarity and consistency between marine and terrestrial policy.
"While the council welcomes the ambitious set of objectives and priorities identified in the NMP, it does have concerns over whether Marine Scotland will be able to effectively implement and monitor the plan and oversee the development of regional marine planning within existing resources and we will continue to engage in discussions on such matters.
"Regarding the proposed MPAs, while the council supports the principles of MPAs, it is vitally important that the right balance is struck between environmental protection and socio-economic impact on marine activities and coastal communities and we will continue to highlight our concerns to Marine Scotland."
(JP/CD)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
22/11/2024
SP Energy Networks has announced a major investment in Britain's electricity grid, selecting 19 preferred partners to deliver a £5.4bn supply chain programme. This significant initiative aims to meet increasing energy demand and facilitate future growth. The selected companies, many of which are ...
22/11/2024
Edinburgh City Council has launched a 12-week public consultation on a new strategy to revitalise Princes Street and the wider Waverley Valley. The vision aims to create a more vibrant and welcoming city centre, attracting investment, supporting businesses, and enhancing the visitor ...
22/11/2024
Ener-G Services Limited, a leading UK electrical engineering company specialising in renewables, marine, and offshore sectors, has expanded its operations in Westhill, Aberdeenshire. The company has leased Unit 6E at Kingshill Commercial Park, a 2,500 sq ft space, on a 5-year lease. This new ...
22/11/2024
A consortium of leading scientists, industry experts, and academic institutions has joined forces to accelerate Scotland's offshore wind sector. The £2.5 million project, led by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the University of Dundee and the Forth and Tay Offshore cluster (FTO), ...
22/11/2024
The Port of Aberdeen and Turner & Townsend were highly commended in the 'Engineering, Construction & Infrastructure Project of the Year' category at the APM Project Management Awards 2024. The award recognises excellence in project management and the positive impact on end-users. The £420 million ...
22/11/2024
South Lanarkshire Council's £10 million fire safety improvement programme has reached a significant milestone, with CCG (Scotland) completing installations in over 1,700 high-rise residences across East Kilbride and Cambuslang. The Glasgow-based construction firm has been working closely with the ...
22/11/2024
SSEN Transmission, a key player in the UK's energy transition, is set to further expand its workforce and move into a new, sustainable office space in Glasgow. The company's commitment to net zero and the increasing demand for green energy workers has led to significant growth, with the number of ...
22/11/2024
Scottish Water is investing in the upgrade of its Loch Eck clean water plant in Dunoon. The project involves replacing outdated dry well pumps with new, more reliable pumps capable of operating in both wet and dry conditions. WGM Engineering, an RSK Group company, has been tasked with carrying out ...
22/11/2024
Scottish Land & Estates has expressed serious concerns over the Scottish Government's Land Reform Bill, particularly the provisions that would allow ministers to force landowners to sell large estates in lots. Sarah-Jane Laing, the organisation's chief executive, stated that while the land-based ...
22/11/2024
Clark Contracts employees have once again shown their commitment to community engagement by volunteering at Silverburn Park in Leven. On Thursday, 21st November, 16 members of the team spent their day planting over 400 trees and carrying out other landscaping tasks. This latest volunteering effort ...