23 February, 2007

SCIENTISTS at Shetland's fisheries college have drawn up the first detailed digital map of coastal waters out to the 12 mile limit, to help planners work out the best future for the marine environment.

The digital map has been collated from more than 100 separate maps of the sea and seabed from 27 different organisations, as part of the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI).

Shetland is one of four parts of Scotland carrying out pilot SSMEIs, and is six months ahead of schedule in producing its first report on its work so far.

The new digital map provides a detailed picture of the marine environment surrounding the isles, including all human activity and natural resources.

The project looks at everything which affects the coastal and marine area, including the layout and consistency of the seabed, obstructions such as shipwrecks and activities such as aquaculture and fishing, tourism and leisure interests.

The move is part of a nation-wide attempt to develop a planning process to allow the sustainable development of the seas.

Until now developments have proceeded in a piecemeal fashion, particularly in Shetland, where individual fish farms have been given works licences based on the conditions in their immediate vicinity.

In future planners are likely to consider developments taking into account a much bigger picture.

Dr Lorraine Gray, who is developing the SSMEI at the NAFC Marine Centre, in Scalloway, said that having an overall picture of the local waters would help planners make decisions in the future.

"The maps demonstrate a snapshot of what is where and when it occurs. This should provide the information necessary to assist decision-makers in being better informed on how the sea is used, from safeguarding natural assets to recognising development potential," Dr Gray said.

"When a planning development comes along the information will be there and you will be able to anticipate any conflicts which might arise before the proposal goes through.

"That could reduce the costs that currently arise when a conflict comes up at the later stages of the planning process."

The maps will also help environmental scientists discover where species are most likely to be present, by identifying the nature of the various habitats within the area being mapped.

An annual report has also been drawn up to help other areas to help others carry out similar projects elsewhere in the UK, and is published on the NAFC website www.nafc.ac.uk

The project is now entering its next phase, the production of a spatial plan with a wide consultation with marine users over the next two years. The final document will have policies detailing where a particular development is likely to be acceptable and where it is not.