Cabinet Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead gets the glory and his name stamped on the legislation, so it was with obvious satisfaction, and no little relief, that he treated Holyrood to some snappy soundbites in support of the final reading<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a truly historic day for Scotland . . . a step change in our approach to the marine environment . . . a new era for Scotland\u2019s marine environment. . . .It is trail blazing time. . . .one of the Parliament\u2019s proudest moments.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It may, in time, prove to be all of these things. But that will depend on both the interpretation and the delivery of the new laws in practice. Nevertheless the Government must be allowed a pat on the back for the dogged determination to bring the Marine Bill to fruition.<\/p>\n It was, of course, helped in that regard by the enormous weight of public opinion, as well as support from all political quarters. The extent of interest in the public consultation process which lasted more than two years, took the Government in general and Lochhead in particular somewhat by surprise \u2013 which he acknowledged in his Holyrood speech. The process has also woken up politicians and officials to the extent and value of recreational sea angling both economically and environmentally.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cJudging by the public\u2019s response to this Bill, more people than ever before are interested in our seas. We have listened to their views and will now focus on delivering improvements.\u201d The Bill itself, he maintained, ensured the safety our our marine environment \u201cfor our children, their children and generations beyond.\u201d And it provided the Government with the tools \u201csafely to exploit the full resource potential of the seas.\u201d<\/p>\n Responses were broadly optimistic. Calum Duncan, convener of Scottish Environment LINK<\/a>\u2019s marine task force, said they welcomed a marine planning system which included environmental targets.<\/p>\n Ian Jardine, chief executive of\u00a0 Scottish Natural Heritage<\/a>, said the Bill was \u201ca turning point\u201d which should help us achieve healthier seas and contribute to prosperity.<\/p>\n Johanna Yates, marine policy manager at Scottish Renewables <\/a>said the bill was \u201ca significant step\u201d towards a new way of working in our seas.<\/p>\n![\"Richard](\"https:\/\/btl.longlinemedia.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/rlochheadsmall.jpg\" "\\"rlochheadsmall\\"")
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