An agreement has been reached between the Scottish and UK Governments to give Scotland full responsibility for its coastal waters out to 200 nautical miles.

The deal, brokered through the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC), also sets out that Westminster and Holyrood will work together to deliver a coherent legislative framework in their respective marine bills.

As a result of the shift of powers, Scotland will now take full responsibility for both marine conservation and planning, offering the potential for a more integrated approach to important and very closely linked areas of marine ecology and development.

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"This is excellent news for Scotland and for Scotland's economy. We will now be responsible for planning and conservation up to 200 nautical miles out to sea from our shores," Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said.

"With Scottish waters being managed as a whole by the Scottish Government, we will now have modern and streamlined management of our seas and the many industries that depend on them."

He added: "The Scottish Government will bring forward a Marine Bill in the spring that will provide a sustainable future for our waters, [and] will also represent the various sectors that depend on them.

"Further devolution of powers on the marine environment will help us safeguard our seas for generations to come. I am delighted that agreement has been reached with the UK on what we have long seen as a sensible approach. It also demonstrates that the JMC process is working."

The JMC is a forum for the UK Government and devolved administrations to discuss areas of overlap between devolved and reserved responsibilities, and to resolve any disagreements over particular policy areas.

(GK/KMcA)