New north coast marine plan launched

23rd March 2016

To support north coast local communities, a new marine plan for the North Highlands coast has just been completed. After several years collaborative work with Marine Scotland and Orkney Islands Council, The Highland Council is pleased to be part of this rewarding and successful venture.

This project will support the Council's aim for biodiverse marine and coastal waters that support thriving and resilient local communities.

Councillor Audrey Sinclair, Chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee said: Key to the creation of this important document has been ensuring the local people of our north highland coast have had the opportunity to get involved with the complex process of regional marine spatial planning from the earliest stages. The valuable knowledge contributed by members of the public, local businesses, surfers and fishermen to name but a few, has really helped to shape the Plan.

We hope the lessons learned along the way, which have also been published, will encourage local people to get more involved in their marine planning partnerships in due course. I encourage anyone wanting to find out more to come along to the drop-in sessions taking place in Thurso and Stromness in May.

Along with its many useful supporting documents, the Plan provides a sound basis for future work on all Scottish Marine Regional Plans, especially those in Highland. A short eight page summary outlines the key issues covered in Plan. Details can be found on the Marine Scotland website (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/3696 ).

If you would like to find out more, come along to our drop-in sessions between 1.00-7.30 pm on 10th May at Caithness Horizons, Thurso or 11th May at Stromness Library, Stromness. Refreshments will be available.