November 28 2008

The Scottish Government has been handed responsibility for all planning and conservation matters at sea up to 200 miles from the coastline, the recognised international limit.

The devolved government’s responsibility had previously fallen short of this at only 12 miles.

The territorial hand over took place after the UK government agreed to cede control to local administrations.  

The switch has implications for the offshore industry, notably wind and wave power although fishing quotas, long a bone of contention, remain reserved as an EU matter.

Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “We welcome the commitment of all the UK administrations to join up marine management across the board; this is essential for coherence - in most matters of consequence in marine planning and management, political boundaries are false."

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