Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary Mike Rumbles MSP has called for the Scottish Parliament to have more control over Scotland’s seas.

Today, the Scottish Government has published a consultation paper for the Marine Bill.

Commenting, Mr Rumbles said:

“The Environment Secretary promised to announce plans for a Marine Bill over a year ago, so this consultation is long overdue.

“Liberal Democrats believe that the Scottish Parliament should have more control over Scotland’s seas. We think that Scotland should have exclusive jurisdiction out to the 200-mile limit over marine conservation and marine spatial planning.

“The Scottish Parliament overwhelmingly backed our proposal for further devolution of marine powers in March this year. The Scottish Government must now heed the will of parliament and ensure that proposals to devolve marine powers are included in the Marine Bill.”