Marine park for Scotland

Wednesday, 15 June 2005 12:00 AM

Scotland should have its first coastal and marine national park in place by 2008, according to Environment Minister Ross Finnie.

He has asked Scottish Natural Heritage to establish where and how a marine park could be established.

Mr Finnie said: "While there are marine nature reserves elsewhere in the world. I am clear that our approach is about people too. As with our terrestrial national parks we will include local communities to secure the sustainable economic and social development of the park area."

But the Scottish Green Party are angry that Mr Finnie is not backing calls for a Scottish Marine Act.

Mark Ruskell MSP said: "Whilst we welcome any moves to deliver marine national parks or spatial planning in the marine environment, it is a real disappointment to see a minister shy away from making the necessary changes to the whole legal basis on which the seas are managed."

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