Tory MSP John Scott says these amendments are the only contentious parts of this bill.

He welcomes the removal of the restriction of harvesting added at stage 2 by a Green amendment.

This is about the licensing system, he states, and calls for the regulatory system to be changed or risk firms not looking to Scotland as a place to do business.

The Tory MSP welcomes the review announcement.

Image source, bbc

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announces a review of the regulatory regime of all kelp harvesting activity.

She explains there are currently five different ways to commercially harvest kelp.

The minister insists the licensing regime is robust and commits Marine Scotland to undertake this review.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell calls for independent scientific advice to be brought in.

Image source, SUBSEATTV.COM

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham highlights the key role kelp plays in environmental protection.

She says her amendments seeks to remove and replace a part of the bill which would not have the intended outcomes for protection.

The Scottish Crown Estate Bill is not the optimal place to deal with seabed harvesting, she says, but accepts some issues regarding the Crown Estate specifically need to be dealt with.

The amendment prevents the removal of kelp for marine activity if no license has been given, she explains.

Ms Cunningham confirms she will support Mr Ruskell's amendments to her amendment on the basis that commercial use does not include scientific research and development.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says his amendments deal with a threat to "our ancient kelp forests" which are defenders of our coastlines.

Mr Ruskell warns that the threat is from the harvesting that prevents kelp regrowing.

If farmed sensitively, kelp is a wonderful resource he explains.

He says his amendment seeks to insert a golden rule which is simply that kelp must be harvested in an environmental way.

The Green MSP points out the minister has corrected his Latin and says he will back Ms Cunningham's amendment.

Image source, bbc

A plan to harvest tonnes of wild kelp on Scotland's west coast is being opposed by local communities, we reported in September.

Ayr-based Marine Biopolymers Ltd wants to extract natural polymers from the mechanically-harvested seaweed to use in foods and pharmaceuticals.

People living in Ullapool, on the north west coast, and the Isle of Tiree have concerns about the plan.

They say commercial harvests would damage marine habitats and destroy a defence against coastal erosion.

Marine Biopolymers Ltd published a scoping report over the summeras part of its work towards applying for a licence.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Ms Cunningham turns to amendments on the duty to maintain and enhance value.

The amendment places an obligation on mangers to ensure this is done sustainably.

Tory MSP John Scott says the amendment comes down to the 'may' versus 'must' argument.

He argues the bill currently allows managers to exercise discretion, and suggests 'must' goes too far.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish, on the other hand, welcomes to change.

The amendment is passed without the support of the Scottish Tories.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP John Scott says the seabed is a national asset and management should not be devolved, so he won't be backing the amendments.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish expresses some concerns.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says Mr Wightman's amendment would cut across the policy of giving communities the chance to manage the foreshore.

Ms Cunningham explains her party will be voting against it.

She has no better news for Liam McArthur on his amendments.

Time to vote!

Both the amendments fall.

Image source, bbc

Organisations are being offered the chance to manage areas of coastline under a new pilot scheme operated by Crown Estate Scotland.

Community bodies and local authorities have been invited to submit projects that would bring economic, social and environmental improvements.

Scottish Ministers would be involved in assessing and approving proposals.

The first stage of the project application process is due to open in August.

Read more here.

Image source, Martin Mckerrell

Green MSP Andy Wightman says nowhere in the bill is the pledge to devolve the management of marine assets is fulfilled.

Mr Wightman says amendment 11 sets a presumption in favour of transferring the matters as they relate to the foreshore, to local authorities.

If you have 'kelp' on your Holyrood legislation bingo card that's the first mention. There will be more.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says devolving management of Crown assets to local communities can and must go further.

He explains his amendments would mean the relevant local authorities would have the right to seek the management of the foreshore up to 12 nautical miles.

Guidance on including LGBT issues in the curriculum is being launched today and expert cake skills are on show...

After a quick explanation of the second group - minor and technical - Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham begins to explain the next group relating to the transfer or delegation of management to harbour authorities or trust port.

She explains trust ports are not defined in legislation.

In the United Kingdom, a trust port is a port that is administered as a trust by an independent statutory body set up by an Act of Parliament and governed by its own set of rules and statutes.

This is in contrast to a private port, which is privately owned, and a municipal port, which is owned by the local municipal authority.

She suggests her amendment delivers the same as Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott's, plus more, and urges the member not to press.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish seeks assurance that harbour authorities will be constituted in the public interest.

MSPs agree to the minister's amendment.

Image source, Alan Souter

In January the Scottish government introduced a bill to parliament which sets out how it intends to reform the Crown Estate in Scotland.

Powers over the estate were devolved to Scotland in April 2017 and it's been operated under interim management since then.

The bill will create opportunities for local authorities and community groups to run parts of the estate.

But farmland tenancies will be centrally controlled.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

MSPs begin by looking at amendments relating to the management of specified assets by Scottish Ministers or Crown Estate Scotland.

Tory MSP John Scott explains amendment 2 would create a duty to consult individuals over asset management.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says the bill allows the management of assets to be devolved to community groups.

Ms Cunningham believes Mr Scott's amendments will undermine the process.

Some Crown Estate assets must be managed at the national level, she explains.

Mr Scott says his amendments would provide clarity, so put the kettle on, we've got a five minute break while the division bell rings through the halls of Holyrood.

The amendments are defeated.

Image source, bbc

Image source, Crown Estate Scotland

MSPs will debate and vote on amendments to the Scottish Crown Estate Bill, external, before debating the legislation for the final time.

Powers over the estate were devolved to Scotland in April 2017 and it's been operated under interim management since then.

The bill will create opportunities for local authorities and community groups to run parts of the estate.

• Here's the marshalled list of amendments , external
• And here's the groupings of amendments , external

Labour MSP James Kelly asks about the impact of ScotRail performance on pupils who require to use train services to reach school.

Transport Minister Michael Matheson explains the Scottish government has no specific data on this group of people.

Mr Kelly says he has been approached by parents due to the education of their children being disrupted.

It is totally unacceptable that pupils are being left on cold and dark platforms do to delays and cancellations, he says.

The cabinet secretary agrees and points to efforts by ScotRail to resolve such issues and improve service.