For
a Scottish Marine Bill with the environment at its heartAfter receiving a record response to our action alert asking MSPs to vote in favour of a crucial amendment to the Scottish Marine Bill, we are delighted to report that this amendment was voted through unanimously by MSPs at the final debate on the bill on Thursday 4 February.
The amendment means that there is now a duty on ministers to protect and enhance Scotland’s seas, which together with duties to deliver marine planning, environmental targets and a network of marine protected areas, means that there is now real hope that our seas can be returned to a healthy state for the long-term benefit of marine wildlife, coastal communities and all who enjoy the food, recreation and energy it provides.
This marks the end of a decade-long campaign for a Scottish Marine Bill by the Scottish Environment LINK Marine Task Force, represented by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and WWF Scotland.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us win this campaign. We now look forward to making sure the legislation is robustly implemented and will keep you updated of how you can help us to do so.
We all want our seas to be healthy and productive, a place where wildlife thrives and which can provide a sustainable future for our fragile coastal communities. But Scotland’s seas have been over-exploited and under-protected for decades. We desperately need to help them recover.
Now, for the first time ever, we have a chance to improve things, thanks to the Scottish Marine Bill. Scottish Environment LINK have been campaigning for a Strong Marine (Scotland) Act for a number of years that delivers:
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