New protection for subsea sites

Ministers plan to introduce additional legislation to safeguard waters around Scotland

By Tim Pauling

Published:

Historic shipwrecks and underwater archaeological sites around Scotland’s coastline are to get more protection under legislation being drawn up by ministers.

A new, historic provision to protect marine areas is to be included in the Scottish Marine Bill, it was announced yesterday.

The provision will allow a broader range of historic sites to be protected as required. Levels of protection will be targeted according to the needs of each area.

The bill aims to improve the protection of the waters around Scotland, both economically and environmentally.

Excluding oil and gas, Scottish seas generate more than £2.2billion and provide 50,000 jobs. They also support around 6,500 species of plants and animals.

The Scottish Government has decided to beef up the bill because it is hoped that technological advances and opportunities for closer co-operation on survey and data collection will help locate undiscovered marine heritage sites such as shipwrecks.

Announcing the move at a conference in Edinburgh, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The bill offers the exciting opportunity to make more of our historic and cultural heritage which we ignore at our peril.

“The popularity of shipwreck diving in Orkney and the Sound of Mull means Scotland can already lay claim to the title of shipwreck-diving capital of Europe.

“Diving generates millions of pounds for our economy and thanks to these new measures there is scope to open up a whole new world of hidden treasures for divers.

“We are delivering a bill that will make the most of our coastal and marine environment without spoiling our most prized treasures.”

There are thousands of shipwrecks around the coast of Scotland. There are also archaeological sites in areas such as Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles that are thought to be underwater due to rising sea levels after the last Ice Age.

Historic Scotland’s marine archaeological expert Philip Robertson said: “We still have a lot to learn but the signs are that our marine heritage is immensely rich and varied, reflecting Scotland’s historic relationship with the sea.

“The bill will help encourage responsible access to our underwater heritage and the introduction of marine conservation orders will allow us to better protect those sites that need greater attention.

“For years we have worked closely with the diving community to monitor and protect wrecks and this bill will make it easier for those diving to get access on a look-but-don’t-touch basis.”

The Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group used the conference to argue that the marine bill could be used as a tool for driving forward the renewables industry.

The group’s Renewable energy champion Iain Todd told delegates that the bill could particularly help enable full realisation of Scotland’s offshore potential.

He said: “Scotland is playing a key role in pushing the boundaries of offshore renewables through pioneering projects such as the Beatrice development – the world’s first deepwater windfarm demonstrator.

“If Scotland is to continue leading the way, it is vital that the marine bill is implemented in a way which supports the industry and also ensures a joined-up approach between Holyrood and Westminster.”