Chapter 1: Introduction

The UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) comprises areas of the sea bed and subsoil beyond the territorial sea over which the UK exercises sovereign rights of exploration and exploitation of natural resources. The Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) Order 2013 (made 31 March 2014)  delineates the shelf and replaced two previous Orders, dating to 2000 and 2001 that had been made under powers in The Continental Shelf Act 1964.

This is modified version from the UKHO Law of the Sea department data, available via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/inspire-portal-and-medin-bathymetry-data-archive-centre

12 nautical miles (from baselines) is the limit of the Territorial Sea which is that part of the sea adjacent to the coast of a state that is considered to be part of the territory of that state and subject to its sovereignty.

This is modified version from the UKHO Law of the Sea department data, available via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/inspire-portal-and-medin-bathymetry-data-archive-centre

The inshore fishing boundary - 6 miles from baselines - is defined in the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984. Inshore waters, part of Territorial Waters (12 mile limit), form part of Scotland as defined in the Scotland Act 1998. 

This is modified version from the UKHO Law of the Sea department data, available via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/inspire-portal-and-medin-bathymetry-data-archive-centre

Under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, Scottish Ministers were given the power to identify the boundaries of Scottish Marine Regions (SMRs) for the purposes of regional marine planning.

The Scottish Marine Regions Order 2015 identifies 11 Scottish Marine Regions and establishes their boundaries. Marine planning will take place at a local level within these regions, where regional marine planning will be delegated to Marine Planning Partnerships (MPPs).

The order is available via http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2015/193/contents/made