The Scottish Executive plans to introduce a marine law to boost conservation in waters from 12 to 200 miles offshore.

A Marine Bill is currently making its way through the UK parliament but Richard Lochhead, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, yesterday stressed that Scotland should safeguard its own interests with its own bill.

It is not yet clear if the SNP administration will seek to remove powers over seabed rent for fish farming from the Crown Estate Commissioners. Despite strong SNP opposition to past ministers' plans for a marine national park, Mr Lochhead is now not against the idea in principle, but is treating it as a low priority to be considered after the marine law is passed.

"We are keen to accelerate the process for a Marine Bill for Scotland," he said. "There are ever-increasing demands on our seas and the governance of our waters is very cluttered with 85 acts from London, Scotland, and international governing bodies statuted in this area. There is a very good case for streamlining the legislation and also upgrading it to make it fit to cope with the 21st century."

Addressing delegates at the Oceans '07 conference in Aberdeen, he outlined how important the marine environment is to Scotland, which has more than 11,000km of coastline, or roughly 10% of Europe's total. "Fishing and fishing communities are a priority for this government. We are absolutely committed to defending their interests locally, nationally and in Europe."

The plans were welcomed by environment campaigners.