Marine Consultation Areas are non-statutory areas identified by NatureScot as deserving particular distinction in respect of the quality and sensitivity of the marine environment within them. Their selection encourages coastal communities and management bodies to be aware of marine conservation issues in the area.
SNH nature reserves (NR) are those SNH properties (owned, leased, or under agreement) it manages for nature with some provision for people to visit. SNH also manages some properties as National Nature Reserves.
Voluntary marine reserves around Scotland. St Abbs and Eyemouth was the first voluntary marine reserve introduced in 1984. As of 2022 this was known as the Berwickshire marine reserve.
The 21 Scottish marine regions and offshore marine regions are used for state of the sea assessments. These areas consolidate the existing statutory Scottish Marine Regions with non-statutory offshore marine regions. For the purposes of assessment, the offshore marine regions extend to the continental shelf limits (adjacent to Scotland)
Scottish Marine Regions (FishDAC_1609) and Scottish Sea Areas (FishDAC_12184) were merged. The sea area boundaries were adjusted in places to better fit with SMRs. Offshore marine regions were renamed to avoid confusion with the Scottish sea areas. All changes were approved by the Scottish Seas Data and Assessment Group (SSDAG)
