The Scottish Executive’s Rural Affairs and Environment Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead, has announced that he intends to introduce a new Scottish Marine Bill that would enable:

• A simpler regulatory system for the marine environment
• More action on marine nature conservation
• A strategic national approach
• Greater local control over marine and coastal areas

The Cabinet Secretary is currently reviewing the reports by:

• Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy
• Scottish Parliament Environment and Rural Development Committee Report on the Marine Environment