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A STRATEGY FOR SCOTLAND'S COAST AND INSHORE WATERS
FOREWORD
Scotland is justly famous for its coast - for its scenic beauty, rich wildlife and importance in our national culture and economy.
However, there is increasing pressure on this valuable resource, and a growing recognition that we should manage our coastline in a more strategic and co-ordinated way.
The Scottish Coastal Forum decided to develop a strategy for improved management of Scotland's coast and inshore waters in February 2000. The aims were to:
Build coherence and synergy in coastal policy and management - taking account of the needs of all sectors and the EU's encouragement for the development of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
Take stock - review the resources and key management issues associated with Scotland's coast and inshore waters at the beginning of the 21st Century.
Look beyond the short to medium term - develop an influential vision for the wise use of Scotland's coast and inshore waters based on a 25-year forward view.
Identify gaps in existing delivery mechanisms and recommend how to fill them.
Identify objectives and key actions for implementing the strategy and indicators for monitoring.
Forum members have worked hard to involve key stakeholders and draw together the main issues and opportunities in this strategy document. Workshops and discussions, including a national conference in Perth involving a wide variety of individuals and the sectors they represent, provided useful ideas which merited further consideration within a detailed action plan. The Scottish Coastal Forum recommends the preparation of an action plan in the future, which will co-ordinate the ongoing development of ICZM in Scotland. I would like to thank everyone who played a part in this process and I am delighted to introduce the Scottish Coastal Forum's Strategy for Scotland's Coast and Inshore Waters. I hope that the document and its vision and objectives will stimulate debate amongst all those who use and value Scotland's coast.
Captain AHF Wilks MBE, FNI
A NEW FUTURE FOR SCOTLAND'S COAST AND INSHORE WATERS
Scotland is fortunate to be endowed with rich and extensive coastal and marine resources which provide a living for many people and inspiration for even more. These resources deserve careful stewardship, and to meet the many demands of modern society, this increasingly means integrated and inclusive management.
This document suggests how this can be achieved: through new approaches or improvements to existing management systems and by focusing resources where they are most needed. By identifying priority actions, it shows how those with an interest in the coastal zone or regulatory responsibilities in
this field can help to deliver this collective vision.
Inshore marine areas have traditionally been managed on a sectoral basis without the benefit of the type of overview and consultation arrangements which the terrestrial planning system provides. There is now a growing case for a more integrated system of planning and management to embrace our coast and inshore waters so we can work in a more holistic and collaborative way and get the best from these areas. If we are to minimise adverse interactions between activities and interests and maximise the positive ones we need to work towards ICZM.
A realistic aim is to achieve, within a generation, a coastal zone management framework for Scotland which is fit for purpose and which can stand alongside the best worldwide. This will be key in securing healthy ecosystems, sustainable economies and thriving communities.
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