SEPA welcomes the announcement today that 37 of Scotland's non designated beaches are to be subject to European legislation, taking the total number of Scottish designated beaches to 60. SEPA was part of The Scottish Office Review Panel, along with other environmental bodies. The Panel discussed the nominations put forward by the public, and other organisations, and made recommendations to the Minister.

Colin Bayes, Head of Water Policy at SEPA, represented SEPA on the Review Panel. He comments:

"The Ministers open inclusive approach of establishing a Panel with wide representation to advise him was welcomed by SEPA and I am pleased to see the additional nominations. SEPA already monitors most of these sites and will drive improvements where needed to meet the water quality criteria. At the same time this will not detract from our ongoing commitment to protect and improve all coastal and inland waters. This commitment was restated in our 1998 Bathing Water report, published recently."