ABSTRACT
The Atlantic Ocean forms the western boundary of the EU and is the second largest of the world’s oceans. In an EU context, the Atlantic Basin consists of France, the island of Ireland, Portugal, Spain and, for the immediate future, the UK. Irish and UK waters are categorised as cool-temperate waters with the waters around Atlantic parts of France, Spain and Portugal described as warm-temperate waters. This means that the Celtic Sea area is at the southern limit of the distribution range for some cold-water species, such as herring and cod, while some warm-water species, such as sea bass and sardine, come up from the south. The Scottish National Marine Plan contains sectoral objectives for a number of marine sectors within a wider marine planning context. The countries of the Atlantic basin are politically stable and whilst there have been economic recessions in Ireland, Spain and Portugal it would appear that a new level of economic stability is emerging.
