Two new protected areas in Orkney are now available for vulnerable seabirds
Marine Special Protection Areas have been designated for an area greater than that of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Scapa Flow (a total area covering 529 square kilometres) and North Orkney have been designated for the protection of rare and vulnerable migratory wildbirds. These include the great northern diver, slavonian grebe, and others.
These new designations largely complete a network of SPAs that currently has fourteen locations across Scotland’s oceans.
It is the culmination of 10 years of collecting and assessing evidence, jointly undertaken jointly by Marine Scotland, NatureScot, and Joint Nature Conservation Committee, to identify and support the designations of marine areas crucial for 31 species marine birds.
The Bute House Agreement is a shared agreement between the Scottish Government & the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group. It includes a commitment for marine environmental protection.
Minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan announced these sites while visiting Orkney.
Scotland is home to some of the most important, diverse, and beautiful marine ecosystems in the globe. It is vital that we preserve and enhance them.
Designations like these ensure that some of the most endangered seabird species are protected and their habitats are protected for the future.
The marine environment of Scotland is crucial for the sustainable recovery and sustainability of our maritime industries. These designations will play an important role.
This marks the culmination a lot of work. I would like to thank all those involved for their efforts and for the designations made in Orkney which largely completes Scotland’s SPA network.
James Stockan, leader of Orkney Islands Council, said:
This has undoubtedly been a long-running process – but one which provides a great example of the value of robust negotiation and constructive discussion between the Scottish Government and Orkney Islands Council.
After challenging the original proposals, we collaborated with Government officials to find a mutually acceptable solution that was more in line with Orkney’s needs. We believe that the designations now have more accuracy and serve two purposes: to support future development in our vital maritime industries and to protect our local ecosystems.
Background
The two Special Protection Areas, announced today, add to the protected area network that covers 37% offshore and inshore areas of Scotland.
Further information on management advice, conservation targets and site information is available here NatureScotThe Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Learn more about Special Protection Areas
The Bute House Agreement, a shared draft policy program between the Scottish Government & the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group, is called the Bute House Agreement. The programme is designed to promote cooperation in areas of mutual concern to improve Scotland’s governance, and to create a stable platform for meeting the challenges Scotland faces. It includes information about collaboration on the climate emergency and economic recovery, child poverty as well as the natural environment, energy, and the constitution.
