Marine Scotland, the part of the Scottish Government responsible for marine management
in Scottish waters, has commissioned a study of shipping activity to better inform the
marine spatial plan pilot for the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters strategic area.
The aim of this process is to ensure there is good knowledge of the use of these waters
(within the 12 mile limit) by all stakeholders so that future developments do not inadvertently
impact on important existing activities.
The study is interested in all Commercial and Recreational Vessel activity. Commercial fishing
(under license) and Military / Naval vessel activity is excluded.
In addition to the questionnaire, reference publications are being reviewed, such as the RYA
Coastal Atlas and the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions, and AIS data is being plotted.
However, it is anticipated that the questionnaire will provide useful information not available
from these other sources, such as personal knowledge and experience not in the public domain.
Please take the time to answer the questions fully as this will help to identify your / your
organisation’s interests and improve the usefulness of the marine spatial plan pilot which is
being developed for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Strategic Area and due to be published
by Scottish Government.
If you are a member of an organisation, such as a sailing club, it would be helpful if a single
response from the organisation could be returned representing all the activity undertaken by that
organisation (to minimise duplication). If you personally undertake additional activity beyond your
organisation(s), or have additional comments, please take the online survey again (or return a
separate questionnaire) to represent this personal information.
Further information and guidance is provided in the
PDF and
Word versions of the questionnaire.
We recommend that you open one of these before completing the on-line questionnaire
so that you can see what the questions are.
Alternatively, you can complete the questionnaire off-line and return it by post, fax or email.
To complete the questionnaire on-line, please click here.