UHI Shetland policy brief published

UHI Shetland Marine Spatial Planning team, have released their third policy briefing in a series set to inform decision makers and stakeholders on current issues and research within Scotland’s marine environment.

The brief entitled “Creating marine restoration and enhancement guidance: key considerations from a Shetland Islands case study” is available to download from the MSP pages of UHI Shetland’s website.

The policy brief provides insights that can help inform the development of effective marine restoration and enhancement guidance across Scotland. The brief draws on the Shetland Islands as a case study, where Scotland’s first marine restoration and enhancement guidance was launched earlier this year.

This policy brief includes information on work which was supported by Marine Fund Scotland and by SMEEF.

Planning policy in Scotland is evolving to better protect natural capital and promote nature-positive outcomes. Developers are including measure to enhance biodiversity, including through the restoration of degraded habitats.

However, the absence of regionally appropriate guidance risks undermining these efforts. The new policy brief highlights key considerations for the development of effective marine restoration and enhancement guidance.

Kathryn Allan, UHI Shetland’s Marine Planning Officer, who has led the development of the policy brief, explains: “Clear inclusive and locally tailored guidance will ensure marine restoration and enhancement efforts are not only ecologically effective, but also relevant to local contexts, widely supported, and resilient over the long-term.”

Dr Rachel Shucksmith, Marine Spatial Planning Manager said: “The marine environment is extremely important to the economies of Scotland’s coastal communities, and our seas support a wide variety of marine life. Marine restoration activities, such as seagrass and oyster restoration are becoming more common place across Scotland. It is important that, as new projects emerge, they consider local context and integrate and align with wider marine management initiatives such as fisheries management and marine spatial planning.”