What is the MPA network?

Marine Nature Conservation Strategy Vision: Clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse marine and coastal environment that meets the long term needs of people and nature. safe,

SACs SPAs SSSIs Ramsar sites MPAs Conservation Orders, Site management plans etc The Three Pillar Approach to Marine Nature Conservation Marine Licence Marine Planning & Partnerships Regional Marine Planning Sector plans Marine licensing Common Fisheries Policy European Protected Species National Protected Species eg Basking shark, seals Other measures eg Priority Marine Features Species ProtectionWider MeasuresSite Protection

Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 & Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 Duty to have an MPA network Power to designate Nature Conservation, Demonstration and Research, and Historic MPAs Duties and powers to protect any MPAs Power to take account of socio-economics Principle of Best Available Evidence

EU Directives Wild Birds Directive Classify most suitable territories as SPAs for: rare or vulnerable bird species; and regularly occurring migratory bird species. Habitats Directive Article 4 of the EU Habitats Directive sets out the provisions for the selection of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for Annex I habitats and Annex II species. Marine Strategy Framework Directive The whole MPA network is a contribution towards delivery of Good Environmental Status

MPA NETWORK NOW CONSISTS OF 30 nature conservation MPAs protecting habitats and species such as maerl beds, coral gardens, and common skate. 47 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protected species and habitats such as bottle nose dolphin, coral reefs and seals. 45 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for colonies of seabirds such as puffins and kittiwakes. 61 Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the further protection of species from seabirds and seals to habitats from sea caves and rocky shores. 194 seal haul-out sites, where seals are protected from harassment. Five seal conservation areas to protect vulnerable local populations of common seals. These areas cover Moray Firth, Shetland, Orkney, Firth of Tay and the Western Isles.

Components of MPA network Nature Conservation MPAs Other protected areas (SACs, SPAs, SSSIs, Ramsar) Demonstration and Research MPAs Historic MPAs Other area-based measures e.g. fisheries closures

Nature Conservation MPAs

Other protected areas (SACs, SPAs, SSSIs, Ramsar)

Demonstration and Research MPAs

Historic MPAs

Management Principles Fishing Designations do not automatically; Create a No Take Zone Create a fishery closed area Instead; Management on principle of sustainable use within the legal framework All require some fisheries management Some require stricter measures for recovery

Feature examples

MPAs and SPAs

New SPA designations The suite of SPAs on land in Scotland is well established, but further work is needed to complete a network at sea. The UK government has committed to identifying a network of SPAs in the marine environment and is currently in process of identifying the most suitable territories

New MPA designations In 2012 SNH identified further survey and research was needed to provide formal advice on four remaining MPA search locations. Now research is complete and SNH advice is that the four MPA proposals be designated for the proposed protected features.

Complete SAC network under Habitats Directive for harbour porpoise: Inner Hebrides and Minches pSAC

Demonstration and Research MPAs Demonstrating, or carrying out research on sustainable methods of marine management or exploitation in territorial waters. Can be proposed by anyone (community, business, Government) One proposal for Fair Isle which if designated has the potential to demonstrate the socio-economic benefits of the marine environment and investigate the factors affecting seabird populations on Fair Isle, particularly climate change impacts and direct human influences.

Potential benefits In addition to maintaining healthy ecosystems and protecting valuable biodiversity and geodiversity species and habitats, MPAs provide benefits to ecosystem services that we rely on

Carbon Capture – maerl and seagrass Greater fish productivity for human and non- human consumption – maerl for juvenile scallop and sandeel for many mobile species Improving water clarity/quality – horse mussel Stabilising coastal sediment - seagrass Natural hazard protection from storms - reefs Research and education – D&R MPAs Tangible ways they help

In turn this benefits services dependent on healthy and productive seas such as: Ecotourism & Recreational activities Bird and wildlife watching, and SCUBA diving ……. ~£78 million every year!!

Because biodiversity features of an MPA contribute to the health of a range of ecosystem services……which in turn help us too.

ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE MAY Nature Conservation Marine protected areas (MPAs) designated 7 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated 16 protected areas with new fisheries management measures implemented 194 seal haul-out sites designated 5 seal conservation areas have been established

Next steps Analyse consultation responses for: –SAC for Harbour Porpoise –Fair Isle Demonstration and Research MPA –Ythan seal haul-out designation Consider post-consultation advice from Historic Environment Scotland on Wreck of Iona HMPA Launch consultation on –Marine SPAs for seabirds –Nature Conservation MPAs for mobile species –Phase 2 Management for existing MPAs and SACs

OVER 20% PERCENTAGE OF OUR SEAS IN MPA NETWORK

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