The ‘Scotland’s Seas: Towards Understanding their State’ report sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for seas that are “clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse,” and lays the groundwork for the new Scottish Marine Bill. 

In particular the report, which precedes a more comprehensive report on the state of Scotland’s seas that is due to be published in 2010, notes that Scotland’s seas are “generally” clean, safe, health and biologically diverse, with around 40,000 species of plants, animals and microbial forms living in Scottish waters. It also points out that the seas generate around £2.2bn of marine industry activity (excluding oil and gas activity) and provide approximately 50,000 jobs in Scotland. 

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, who commissioned the report, said that Scotland is “fortunate” to have a unique environment that everyone should be able to enjoy, but added that in order to protect it, it is “imperative” to establish a greater understanding of the current state of Scotland’s seas. 

Describing the report as a “great starting point”, he said:  

"I am pleased to note the conclusion that our seas are generally clean, safe, healthy and biologically diverse, with around 40,000 species of plants, animals and microbial forms living in Scottish waters.  Our seas are also relatively productive, generating around £2.2 billion of marine-industry activity and providing 50,000 jobs in Scotland. 

"However I aware of the need to balance demands on the sea in order to ensure our resources are used in a sustainable manner to preserve these assets for the future. 

"This report provides substantial evidence for the Sustainable Seas Task Force to build on when developing proposals for a new Scottish Marine Bill to effectively safeguard our waters for future generations to come.  I would like to thank all those involved in producing it." 

The report was jointly produced by the Scottish Government, Fisheries Research Service (FRS), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). 

Ian Jardine, chief executive, SNH said that Scotland has a “long history of studying and exploiting our marine natural resources,” and that the challenge is now to decide how to use the marine environment sustainably. 

He said: "Most of the population of Scotland has an interest in marine issues, even if that's to enjoy a day out on a clean beach.  But we know there are challenges ahead in agreeing how best to use these resources, and protect them in the face of climate change and threats from new invasive species. 

"To ensure the future long-term health of Scottish seas, it is essential to maintain a balance between sustainable exploitation of marine resources and the protection of wildlife and natural features.  This important report will help us all to coordinate action for our seas." 

Robin Cook, chief executive, Fisheries Research Services (FRS) said: 

"Scotland's seas' are rich, diverse and productive.  This report forms an important step in ensuring the sound stewardship of our marine environment and the protection of the many thousands jobs that are dependent on our seas." 

While Campbell Gemmell, chief executive, SEPA said the combined expertise of the agencies involved would be a “powerful force” in dealing with the challenge of managing Scotland’s seas sustainably. 

'Scotland's seas: Towards Understanding their State' is available online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/16440/SSTF