Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government expects all managers of afforested land, including Gresham House, to meet the requirements of sustainable forest management as outlined in the UK Forestry Standard. The UK Forestry Standard contains requirements and guidelines on environmental quality, managing and improving biodiversity and community engagement.

As set out in the answer to S6W-39520, a full breakdown of the awards made through the Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) since it was first launched in 2021-22 to the most recent awards made in 2024-25 is available at: www.gov.scot/publications/marine-fund-scotland-grants-awarded/

The MFS funds a range of projects to help deliver Scotland’s Blue Economy Vision, transform the way the marine environment is used and how Scotland’s ‘blue’ resources are managed. Funding of £14 million has also been made available in 2025-26 and the MFS team are currently assessing applications that can contribute to an innovative and sustainable marine economy, support coastal communities, and help Scotland reach net zero emissions.

In addition, the MFS has provided various support to the fishing sector across Scotland, through £1.8m funding the Independent Fisheries Science Support Scheme which provides data to support stock assessments; £650k Support to Seafish to provide safety training and £50k to Fishing into the Future supporting the Clyde Fisheries Resource Education Programme, aiming to improve fisheries management & sustainability.

In 2024-25, Blueshell Mussels were awarded £640k towards the £1.28m cost of installing innovative rope that improves mussel growth & yield, this will increase production by around £800k & create 4 new jobs. In 2024-25, Tiny Fish a new company was awarded £118k towards the £237k cost of processing equipment for small salmon, taking what was viewed as a waste product from aquaculture & turning it into an added value product.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer to the answers I provided to questions S6W-39428 on 28 July 2025 and S6W-39996 on 3 September 2025 and confirm that Crown Estate Scotland is responsible for managing seabed leasing for offshore wind and other marine renewable energy developments. Therefore, the process for leasing the seabed, as well as the criteria underpinning it, is a matter for Crown Estate Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40144 on 10 September 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40144 on 10 September 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40144 on 10 September 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40144 on 10 September 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The Scottish Government intends to include blue carbon in the next Climate Change Plan, based on the best available scientific evidence.

However, there are still evidence gaps relating to blue carbon habitats that impact on a) how blue carbon habitats can be monitored with regard to the potential contribution to climate change mitigation and b) the way in which they can be included in the next Climate Change Plan.

At present, no blue carbon habitats are included in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The Scottish Government supports inclusion of saltmarsh and seagrass in the inventory, as data collection methods are improved, and is working collaboratively with the UK Government and other Devolved Governments, through the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership, towards their inclusion.

The Scottish Government is also supporting research to address evidence gaps across all blue carbon habitats, as set out in the Scottish Blue Carbon Action Plan (published 10 September). Addressing these evidence gaps will support progress towards inclusion of blue carbon habitats in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory and will inform our approach to monitoring contributions to the net zero targets.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39996 on 3 September 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The assessment process for seabed leasing for offshore wind and other marine renewable developments and the criteria that underpins that process, is a matter for Crown Estate Scotland.