Capturing the range of values that are placed on the marine environment can be challenging. The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Oceans of Value project identified key values associated with the marine environment using a natural capital approach and the Community Voice Method.

Work focused on the seas surrounding the Orkney Islands (out to 12 nautical miles from Orkney’s coastline), which is one of the most well-studied marine environments in Scotland. Orkney is also one of the next regions in Scotland to develop a Regional Marine Plan. This plan is intended to manage all marine activity in the region and ensure environmental sustainability.

You can download the key recommendations from this project here: Oceans of Value Key Recommendations

 

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The Natural Capital Assessment of the Orkney Marine Region report is a first of its kind attempt to carry out a natural capital assessment of a marine region.

The results highlight that:

• sustaining fish populations is a key ecosystem service provided by most marine habitats;
• despite Orkney being a relatively well-studied marine area, there is a lack of suitable data available to inform natural capital assessments and develop clear, location-specific conclusions;
• marine natural capital assessments can provide the framework for delivering key objectives of marine spatial plans (in this case Regional Marine Plans), but further investment in data collection and monitoring is required to fulfil this potential.

The Orkney Marine Natural Capital Assessment and Summary Report

Full report: Natural Capital Assessment of the Orkney Marine Region Area