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SCOTTISH Natural Heritage, Marine Scotland and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee are hosting a series of meetings in Shetland to consult on the government’s Planning for Scotland’s Seas proposals.
These include guidelines for offshore renewable energy as well as proposals for two marine protected areas in the seas around Shetland.
The areas earmarked for special protection are from Fetlar to Haroldswick in the north, as well as the sea between Mousa and Boddam in the southend of Shetland.
The sites have been put forward to protect a range of wildlife and habitats, from black guillemots and sandeels to horse mussel and maerl beds.
The drop-in sessions are as follows:
- 20 August, Shetland Hotel, in Lerwick, between 1 and 8pm, set up to discuss all aspects of the consultation and run by SNH, Marine Scotland and JHCC;
- 21 August, Brae hall, 1 to 8pm, Marine Scotland event on offshore renewable energy;
- also on 21 August, Carnegie Hall, Sandwick, 1 to 8pm, SNH event on marine protected areas
Further meetings are planned for Fetlar, Yell and Unst in September.
SNH policy and advice manager Katie Gillham, said: “We want to help people understand how special our seas are.
“With three metres of coastline for every person in Scotland, they are a huge environmental, economic and recreational resource that contributes enormously to our quality of life. But many of us have little idea about the remarkable world hidden under the waves.”
“If you can’t make these dates, information about the consultation and how to respond is available on the Marine Scotland website.”
The Scottish government consultation runs until 13 November.
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