Scotland seeks to rule its seas
The UK government has published its draft Marine Bill for consultation.
Wildlife campaign groups gave a lukewarm welcome to the publication as an important step towards restoring the health of the UK’s seas.
However, the RSPB pointed out that the new law could be "a rehash of the current, ineffective legislation."
In Scotland, the Marine Bill renewed calls for the country to rule its own seas.
Cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment Richard Lochhead, said: "Anyone who cares about our precious marine environment will be delighted that governments north and south of the border are preparing improved management of our seas.
"However, we are profoundly disappointed that the UK government has not used the opportunity to accept the case for any new powers relating to devolved matters and offshore marine conservation measures to be part of the Scottish Marine Bill rather than the UK's.
In a report published on Wednesday 9 April Scotland's seas were deemed clean and safe. The document, the first of its kind, will help lay the groundwork for the new Scottish Marine Bill.
'Scotland's Seas: Towards Understanding their State' shows that Scotland's seas are generally healthy, clean and safe, with around 40,000 species of plants, animals and microbial forms living in Scottish waters.
The seas also generate around £2.2 billion of marine-industry activity (excluding oil and gas activity) and provide approximately 50,000 jobs in Scotland.
The UK Marine Bill consultation ends 26 June 2008.
