Conference to discuss future of Scottish and European maritime policy – Fishupdate.com

A ONE-DAY conference is set to bring together policy-makers, environmental and community groups, fishing and marine energy interests and academics to discuss the future of Scottish and European maritime policy.

Scotland’s coastal and marine resources are among its most important. Energy production, coastal parks, fishing and ship-to-ship oil transfers are among current issues being considered in Scotland, the UK and the EU, as the UK considers a Marine Bill and the European Commission is carrying out a maritime affairs consultation until June 2007.

Where does Scotland fit in current legislation and agendas? Should Scotland have its own Marine Act to ensure it retains and even extends control over its coasts and local maritime affairs? How can Scotland most efficiently govern in the sea and ensure reasonable input by all groups impacted? What is a joined-up view of the sea that strikes a sustainable balance between protecting and utilising marine and coastal resources? Could Scotland lead the way on marine policy for Europe?

These issues will be raised at ‘The Sea: Scotland’s Greatest Resource? Issues for Governance, Communities & the Economy’. The conference is due to be held at the AECC in Aberdeen on February 19.

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