Coasts and Seas

Scotland's coastline covers more than 11,800 km, longer than that of England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined. Our coasts and seas are both highly productive and very diverse, supporting over 6500 species of plants and animals. These environments are, however, subject to a range of competing pressures and activities such as fishing, aquaculture, marine renewables, recreation, transport, oil exploration, military use and coastal development and the challenge is to determine how these can be sustainably managed. Scottish Natural Heritage is playing a key role in contributing to the new Marine Bill; assessing Scotland's marine features to support Marine Protected Areas.