The next steps toward the
possible establishment of Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National
Park were announced today by Environment Minister Ross Finnie.
Over 70 per cent of respondents
to an Executive consultation indicated support in principle for a
Coastal and Marine National Park. However, the consultation also
revealed some concerns among fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
businesses, relating to the economic impact of such a park.
The Minister has written to the
Enterprise Networks inviting them to review these concerns and to
discuss further with relevant parties.
"I have also asked them to
suggest measures and options for addressing the concerns raised, in
line with the grain of the overall policy for National Parks. I want
to discuss with them how we can achieve sustainable use and real
benefits to all users of the marine and coastal environment in
Scotland," Finnie said.
Finnie said: "The consultation
showed strong and growing support for the idea of a Coastal and Marine
National Park and the benefits it could bring to local and national
tourism, local communities and businesses.”
"However, the consultation has
also raised some concerns. I take these seriously and I want to explore
further the issues raised by respondents who are opposed to designation
largely on economic grounds.”
The initial results of this
review will be reported to Ministers by the end of June 2007. The
Executive, in parallel, will continue to work with a range of public
sector bodies to develop proposals for a Coastal and Marine National
Park.
Further extensive consultation
and Parliamentary scrutiny would be required as part of the statutory
designation process required to establish any National Park. The
process is set out in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000.
See consultation responses
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