Marine

  • Update: pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan

    16th March 2015 by

    The pre-consultation versions of the pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan, the Sustainability Appraisal, the Socio-Economic Baseline Review and the Regional Locational Guidance are due to be sent to Orkney Islands Council and Highland Council for consideration prior to a formal public consultation beginning in June 2015. The documents will be available on the council...

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  • Marine Analytical Unit monthly update – 25 February 2015

    26th February 2015 by

    This week’s update from the Marine Analytical Unit has been published, featuring an article reporting on what plans for new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) need to consider social impacts alongside economic and environmental impacts. Read the full update Related Links All previous Marine Analytical Unit updates

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  • National Marine Plan interactive (NMPi) reaches 500 layers

    17th February 2015 by

    The number of data layers in our National Marine Plan interactive (NMPi) continues to grow and is now in excess of 500, representing a huge data resource for use by everyone. New data layers continue to be added and amongst the recent layers are: Scotland’s Marine Atlas (2011) Overall Assessment (as 4 layers) A new section called ‘National Marine...

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  • European Plans for the Ocean Energy Sector – October 2014

    17th October 2014 by

    The European Commission has developed a two-step action plan to support the emerging ocean energy sector in Europe. In the first phase (2014 – 2016), an Ocean Energy Forum will be set up, which will bring together stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of the problems and to develop solutions. It will focus on building...

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  • 8th International GIScience conference

    10th October 2014 by

    In September, Marine Scotland Science staff attended the 2014 8th International Conference on Geographic Information Science (GIS),. The biennial conference, held in Vienna and hosted by the Austrian University of Technology brought together more than 600 international participants from academia, industry, and government organisations to discuss the state-of-the-art advances in the field of GIS. This...

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  • SNH Commissioned Report 783: Understanding the potential effects of wave energy devices on kelp biotopes

    24th September 2014 by

    This report improves understanding of the potential changes to kelp habitats that could occur as a result of the development of wave energy renewables projects around Scotland’s coasts. An objective risk assessment found that kelp habitats have the potential to be affected by site-specific disturbance by wave energy projects. However, given the extent of kelp...

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  • New Publications on Marine Renewable Energy Developments

    20th August 2014 by

    Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have recently completed two reports relating to marine renewable energy developments and their potential impact on the environment. These reports offer a risk assessment of the interaction between marine renewable devices and the diving birds and megafauna in the area. The first report, Commissioned Report No. 773. A Diving Bird Collision...

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  • MRV Alba na Mara: Survey 1414A – Benthic biotopes

    4th August 2014 by

    Overview The MRV Alba na Mara cruise will be conducting the survey below in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage. The purpose of the cruise is to investigate the distribution and quality of benthic biotopes around Scotland. The data are required to underpin designation and management of the new suit of marine protected areas. The survey...

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  • Marine Analytical Unit monthly update – 24 July 2014

    24th July 2014 by

    This week’s update from the Marine Analytical Unit has been published, featuring an article which announces the designation of 30 Marine Protected Areas. Read the full update Related Links All previous Marine Analytical Unit updates

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  • Marine Spatial Planning Update

    16th June 2014 by

    Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan A Working Group consisting of Marine Scotland, Highland Council and Orkney Islands Council have been working on developing a pilot marine spatial plan for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters, see www.scotland.gov.uk/PFOWmarinespatialplan. The Working Group produced two documents last year that went out for consultation. The...

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