Consultation Launched on the Designation of Scapa Flow as an Historic Marine Protected Area (HMPA).

A consultation has been launched seeking views from the public on the designation of the Scapa Flow as an Historic Marine Protected Area (HMPA).

K armet Scapa 29th 3

Scapa Beach 07:50 29/03/2017 (photo K Armet)

The consultation was announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday 20th February at Scotland’s International Marine Conference 2019, hosted in Glasgow by Marine Scotland.

Historic Environment Scotland have recommended that the Scottish Government recognise and protect this hugely important part of Scotland’s wartime heritage with Historic Marine Protected Area status.

Historic MPAs aim to preserve marine historic assets of national importance, so that they can be protected, valued and understood.

Orkney has one of the most outstanding collections of First and Second World War naval wreckage remains, both above and underwater. Since 2001, the remains of three battleships and four cruisers of the German High Seas Fleet scuttled in Scapa Flow in 1919 have been protected as scheduled monuments. The change to a Historic MPA is a more appropriate way to manage this fragile part of our history.

Philip Robertson, Deputy Head of Designations at HES, said:

“Scapa Flow is an internationally significant heritage asset which attracts visitors from all over the world.

“The launch of this consultation follows extensive public engagement with stakeholders over the past few years regarding Scapa Flow, from our online survey to meetings with those who live and work in and around the site. We have also been working closely with Orkney Islands Council on the way forward.

“It’s important that the public have their say in how best to manage the site for the future, balancing the protection of Orkney’s important wartime heritage while taking account of other interests, including the importance of the harbour to Orkney’s sustainable economic growth.

“We want to promote access to Scapa’s heritage and the Historic MPA will help to ensure that people enjoy marine heritage responsibly.”

Fleet_in_Scapa_Flow

German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow

The array of underwater archaeological remains at Scapa Flow includes wrecks from June 1919 when, as part of the Armistice agreement at the end of the First World War, Germany had to surrender most of its fleet. A total of 74 ships of the German High Seas Fleet arrived in Scapa Flow for internment. On 21 June 1919, under the mistaken belief that peace talks had failed, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter gave the command to scuttle the entire fleet at Scapa Flow. A total of 52 ships went to the seafloor, making it the greatest loss of shipping ever recorded in a single day.

Salvage at Scapa Flow

Scuttling of the German Fleet at Scapa Flow: Salvage work in progress on the German battleship BADEN at Scapa Flow. The cruiser FRANKFURT is also in view. (IWM)

A major resource for salvage from 1919 to the 1970s, nowadays the wrecks of the German High Seas Fleet are a significant heritage asset, attracting visitors from all over the world and contributing to the economy of Orkney.

Marking “a significant milestone for marine archaeological heritage in Scapa Flow”

Recent survey work by HES and our partners on Orkney has shed new light on how much survives underwater. The research shows a hugely diverse range of archaeological material on and in the seabed and that just like landward archaeological sites, this fragile heritage is prone to deterioration and decay.

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland  said:

Nicola Sturgeon“Marine protected areas are an undoubted success story. In the last seven years the network has doubled and they now account for more than a fifth of Scotland’s Seas. It is important that we conserve sites of historic interest and the public are able to have a say on how we do this.

“Scapa Flow is clearly a very important part of Scotland’s maritime history, particularly during the World Wars. As we move towards the 2020 Year of Coasts and Waters, it is right that appropriate steps are taken to ensure this wartime heritage is preserved in a way that we can enjoy, remember and understand it responsibly.”

View the full report and take part in the consultation here: Scapa Flow Historic Marine Protected Area

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