That the Parliament congratulates the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan, developed jointly by Orkney Islands Council, The Highland Council and Marine Scotland, on winning the Partnership Working category at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning (SAQP); understands that the SAQP took place on 9 November 2016 to acknowledge the achievements and hard work carried out in planning, ranging from strategic visions to new settlements; notes that the plan aims to balance the needs of local communities and marine economic activities while protecting the environment and seas on which they depend; recognises that the judges praised the plan’s “dedication to the local landscape and the significance of water within the Highlands and Islands” and the “evident passion to ensure the best use of local resources and natural assets”; believes that the plan is worthy of this recognition, and thanks all involved in the project for their pioneering working that demonstrates that rural and islands communities can lead the way, not least in future regional marine planning.