Management of marine and coastal resources in UK waters has evolved along largely sectoral lines, resulting in a plethora of legislation. At least thirteen UK and Scottish government departments and agencies currently have some form of responsibility, as established by over eighty statutes, for managing, regulating and administering activities within Scottish marine waters. As new and increasing pressures on marine resources develop, it is increasingly recognised that the existing system for formulating decisions in the marine environment needs refinement or modification to make the process more effective. The SSMEI Clyde Pilot Steering Group, with its membership of key regulators and stakeholders, presents an opportunity for investigating current decision-making processes and testing new approaches.

The Clyde Pilot will study and trial measures for promoting more integrated sustainable decision making. This aspect of the project will look at the format, detail and types of information that regulators would find most useful in decision making. It will consider mechanisms for avoidance of duplication, while taking into account issues in relation to consultation fatigue and resources.

The overall aims of an improved system are:

• to promote consistency of decision making, underpinned by the local marine spatial plan; and

• to make the process of decision making more efficient and rapid, to the benefit of applicants, regulators and consultees.