Proposal to designate two Historic Marine Protected Areas

Closed 27 Nov 2019

Opened 30 Oct 2019

Contact

0131 244 3392

Marine_Conservation@gov.scot

Feedback updated 11 Aug 2025

We asked

We sought views on proposals to create two Historic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as part of the Scottish MPA network; Historic MPAs are designated for the purpose of preserving ‘marine historic assets’ of national importance.

The consultation ran from 30 October to 27 November 2019 and asked four questions:

1. Do you support the designation of the Queen of Sweden as a Historic Marine Protected Area?

2. Do you support the designation of Scapa Flow as a Historic Marine Protected Area?

3. Do you have any comments on the draft Designation Orders?

4. Do you have any comments on the advice and consultation reports from Historic Environment Scotland?

Due to the impact that COVID-19 had on the Scottish Government’s work priorities, we were not able to publish our consultation analysis and response at the time.

In 2024, we resumed this work and contacted all individuals and organisations who had previously responded to the consultation, as well as some others who may have a particular interest in providing their views. We used this engagement exercise to ask for any changed and new viewpoints.

You said

The 2019 consultation received a total of 16 responses: five from individuals and 11 from organisations. In addition to re-contacting the 16 respondents, contact was also made with a further 11 individuals and organisations during the 2024 engagement exercise.

Queen of Sweden Historic MPA proposal

No significant issues were raised in the comments provided as part of the consultation and clear support for the proposed designation was expressed by 65% of respondents to question one: “Do you support the designation of the Queen of Sweden as a Historic Marine Protected Area?” The remainder expressed no particular views or objections.

The 2024 engagement activity clarified unchanged views from previous respondents as well as there being no concerns expressed and supportive views provided from the additional parties who responded.

Scapa Flow Historic MPA  proposal

Support was expressed by 65% of respondents to question two: “Do you support the designation of Scapa Flow as a Historic Marine Protected Area?” as well as one objection and the remaining respondents largely expressing no views or objections.    

The issues highlighted were: that designation of the site could impact on future renewable energy development; that the site must only be designated for historical reasons and further nature conservation designations are not then bolted on; that some wrecks may lack artefacts of value; and, that relevant salvage permissions must still be possible and ownership can be transferred post-salvage.

The 2024 engagement activity clarified unchanged views from previous respondents as well as there being no concerns expressed and supportive views provided from the additional parties who responded.

We did

Having considered the responses to both the 2019 consultation and additional stakeholder input in 2024, Scottish Ministers have determined that the following two sites should be designated as Historic MPAs.

  • Queen of Sweden Historic MPA
  • Scapa Flow Historic MPA

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The Scottish Government's vision for the marine environment is of clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas; managed to meet the long-term needs of nature and people.

Earlier this year Historic Environment Scotland undertook a consultation on these proposals and have provided their final advice.  They recommend that both sites are designated as Historic Marine Protected Areas.  If taken forward to designation, the sites would be designated using the powers under s67 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. Historic Marine Protected Areas are designated for the purpose of preserving ‘marine historic assets’ of national importance.

Why your views matter

Thank you for taking the time to consider this consultation paper. We would welcome your views on the potential creation of two Historic Marine Protected Areas, as part of the Scottish Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. This consultation fulfils a commitment in the 2019-20 Programme for Government to take forward two Historic MPAs to designation. 

Read the consultation paper. 

What happens next

Where respondents have given permission for their response to be made public, and after we have checked that they contain no potentially defamatory material, responses will be made available to the public at http://consult.gov.scot. If you use the consultation hub to respond, you will receive a copy of your response via email.

Following the closing date, all responses will be analysed and considered along with any other available evidence to help us make a decision. An analysis report will also be made available.

Interests

  • Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Marine and Fisheries