Marine assessment consultation

Views are invited on a state-of-the-seas appraisal of the waters around Orkney.

An assessment of the marine environment out to 12 nautical miles has been undertaken by Orkney Islands Council.

This is available on the OIC website (until 4 October 2020) – and feedback can be provided during a consultation period running until 4 October.

The assessment has been carried out as part of the Orkney Marine Environment Project, which seeks to improve the availability and accessibility of environmental, social and economic information for marine planning, management and education purposes.

The project is backed by funding worth £119,000 from the Scottish Government awarded as under the European Maritime and Fisheries Funding (EMFF) scheme.

The Council worked with stakeholders and gathered previously published data in drawing up the state-of-the-seas appraisal.

The report looks at the main issues affecting the marine environment. It presents an overview of existing environmental, social and economic conditions and, where information permits, likely trends, such as sea level rise and the economic growth of key marine sectors.

The feedback received will be reflected in a final version of the document, which will play a role in the preparation of a regional marine plan for Orkney.

Comments can be passed on by email to marine.planning@orkney.gov.uk