Consultation on Proposed Extensions to Existing Seabird Colony Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

Some questions which you may have

Below is a list of questions that you may have regarding the proposal to extend a number of the breeding seabird colony SPAs.  If you click on one of the questions below this will take you to the answer for that question.  Alternatively, you can scroll down the page and read through all of the questions and answers. 

• Why are Scotland’s seabirds so important?
• Why are some seabird populations threatened?
• What protection do SPAs provide? 
• Do the areas proposed as extensions to the SPAs have any protection now?
• Will I be prevented from entering the marine environment within the areas proposed for extension?
• Will the SPA extension affect fishing in the area?
• Will the designation affect development proposals including pipelines, fish farms etc?
• Will SNH be in charge of the areas within the SPA extensions?
• How will these areas proposed for extension be managed?
• If the SPAs are extended will the extended areas need to be monitored?
• Why are only 31 SPA sites proposed for extension? What about the remaining 18 seabird SPA’s?
• Will SNH be taking forward any other work around Scotland’s costal marine environment to protect our important and valuable seabird population?

Why are Scotland’s seabirds so important?

Scotland is given a particular advantage by its position on the relatively shallow, biologically rich and productive edge of the North Atlantic ocean. Link this to the huge extent and variety of nesting habitat provided by Scotland’s long rugged coastline and myriad of offshore islands and the scope for breeding seabirds is huge. Few countries can support a greater diversity of species or such huge numbers in such localised areas. Consequently these colonies and the surrounding seas are a vital natural heritage resource which is internationally recognised and globally unsurpassed.

Recently the Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead commented that "....Scotland's seabird populations are of European and global renown and it is absolutely vital that they receive the protection they deserve." This is government recognition of the action to protect and maintain these huge and colourful Scottish seabird colonies.

Why are some seabird populations threatened?

Scotland has a unique coastal and marine environment.  Not only are Scotland’s Seas rich in biodiversity but they also provide economic, social and wider benefits to users of the marine environment and the rest of the population of Scotland.  Seabird populations have been declining in recent years and the Scottish Government, in partnership with SNH and other conservation organisations, are currently researching the possible causes of decline to some species of seabird in order to develop appropriate protection tools and measures.

What protection do SPAs provide? 

Countries of the European Union have agreed to classify areas as SPAs for rare or vulnerable bird species that are listed in the Birds Directive and also for regularly occurring migratory species.  Once classified Member States must safeguard the SPA and their important bird species and take appropriate steps to avoid deterioration of habitats of the species and significant disturbance to the species within these areas.  Any new plan or project that could affect a SPA needs to be looked at in relation to the implications it could have for a site.  If it can not be ascertained that a proposal would not adversely affect the integrity of a SPA it can not be consented by the regulatory authority unless there are no alternatives and there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest. 

Do the areas proposed as extensions to the SPAs have any protection now?

It is Government policy that proposed SPAs (which these sites currently are) should be protected in the same way as classified SPAs. 

Will I be prevented from entering the marine environment within the areas proposed for extension?

There will be no access restrictions into this area as a result of the proposed extensions to the SPAs, though any access should be exercised responsibly. There will be no effect on the day-to-day running of wildlife tour boats as long as these do not cause significant disturbance to birds.  In the longer term wildlife tour operators and the tourism industry in general may benefit because the SPA will protect the birds that visitors come to see.  Wildlife tour operators should follow the Marine Wildlife Watching Code whether or not they are within a marine SPA so that wildlife is not disturbed and can continue to be enjoyed by all.  The Marine Wildlife Watching Code is available through the following link
http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/marine/Marine%20Guide.pdf

Will the SPA extension affect fishing in the area?

There is no indication that current fishing activities in the areas proposed for extension are any risk to the birds or their habitats. We therefore do not plan to introduce restrictions to ongoing fisheries interests as a result of the designation if the SPAs are extended. Only if unanticipated problems arise would any action be required to address these. 

Will the designation affect development proposals including pipelines, fish farms etc?

There is a procedure that must be followed when considering plans or projects that could affect SPAs.  If a proposal is likely to have a significant effect on seabirds that are a qualifying interest of a SPA then the competent authority (the authority responsible for allowing a proposal to proceed) must carry out an appropriate assessment to ensure that the integrity of the site will not be adversely affected.  If this is not the case and there are no alternative solutions, the proposal can only be allowed to proceed if there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest. 

Will SNH be in charge of the areas within the SPA extensions?

The proposed extensions will encompass areas of the sea up to 4km from the seabird colony.  SNH does not own areas of the seabed and therefore does not have management responsibility for these areas.  Competent authorities have a requirement to consult SNH over any plans or projects that could affect a SPA and have regard to SNH’s advice. 

How will these areas proposed for extension be managed?

It is expected that, other than promoting good practice for current activities and consideration of new development proposals, it will not be necessary to actively manage these areas for the seabirds.

If the SPAs are extended will the extended areas need to be monitored?

If the SPAs are extended seaward, continued monitoring will be needed to assess the number of seabirds breeding on the site and the condition of the site.  It is anticipated that this will be the same monitoring that already takes place for the terrestrial part of the SPA. 

Why are only 31 SPA sites proposed for extension? What about the remaining 18 seabird SPA’s?

The remaining 18 sites have been classified for species whose conservation, on current knowledge, cannot be furthered by seaward extension to existing sites.  Some species do not use identifiable areas close to the sites but are much more wide ranging and irregular in their behaviour – work is ongoing to determine whether important areas can be scientifically justified in the future.

Will SNH be taking forward any other work around Scotland’s costal marine environment to protect our important and valuable seabird population?

23 search areas around the coast of Scotland have been provisionally identified by JNCC and SNH as having potentially important bird populations for consideration against the SPA selection guidelines.  Further survey work is required to ascertain their importance and is currently on-going.