Assets Transportation & Environmental Services have 11 harbours and piers in Fife open to commercial fishing and leisure craft.
We also have permissive powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949.
Responsibilities
Our prime responsibility is to carry out duties imposed by the Coast Protection Act 1949 and to inspect and maintain coast protection structures in its ownership with the objective of preventing erosion and damage, all in the interests of public safety.
Legislation
The Coast Protection Act 1949 empowers Local Authorities with coastlines, (termed Coast Protection Authorities) to carry out coast protection work inside and outside their area as necessary, subject to the approval of the Scottish Government. Capital works may, if approved, be eligible for partial grant funding from the Scottish Government. Proposed schemes, other than maintenance or emergency operations, must be advertised and provide value for money as demonstrated by a rigorous cost benefit analysis.
The powers given to us under the Act are permissive, i.e. it is not obliged to protect eroding coastlines. Instead, responsibility for management and prevention of erosion rests with the landowner of the site concerned. Schemes proposed by landowners require our consent and are not eligible for grant aid under the Act.
Policies
Leisure and Cultural Services work in partnership with the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust to promote Fife's beaches and the Fife Coastal Path.
Enquiries relating to boat registration and trailer parking fees can be made directly to each harbourmaster at the harbours and piers we manage at North Queensferry, Aberdour, Pettycur, St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther, Cellardyke, Crail, Elie, Dysart and Wormit.
The Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay provide some of the best sailing areas on the East Coast of Scotland with numerous sailing clubs along its shores.
An inshore Fife Council managed sailing and training facility is also located at Lochore Meadows Country Park.
SEPA, through the implementation of The Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011 are responsible for the continued safe operation and management of Reservoirs.
Further information on the Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011
Further information regarding registration of Reservoirs with SEPA
Enterprise, Planning & Protective Services carries out a sampling programme of private water supplies and also provides information and advice about the quality of both private water supplies and recreational water, including the hazards associated with blue-green algae.
