Response to BERR Appropriate Assessment: Block 17/3, Inner Moray Firth

Scottish Environment LINK s Marine Task Force reject the conclusion of the Appropriate Assessment for oil and gas licensing in Block 17/3, which overlaps the Moray Firth European marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for bottlenose dolphin and sandbanks. LINK believe that the Appropriate Assessment fails to meet the tests set under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). It fails to demonstrate that there will be no adverse impact on the integrity of relevant Natura 2000 interests or to satisfy the site’s Conservation Objectives