The Ministry of Defence must consult Scottish ministers on any activity that could impact on the marine environment, Richard Lochhead has demanded.
Scotland's Environment Secretary has criticised "out-of-date" defence by-laws and called for a full, open and transparent review of defence-related activity in Scottish seas.
He said Scottish Government agency Marine Scotland must have more influence on defence-related developments and called for a closer working relationship with the MoD.
In a letter to Philip Dunne, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the MoD, Mr Lochhead has also called for interested parties including local residents and fisheries representatives to be given more time to consider proposed plans to rationalise and improve the operation of MoD Raasay ranges.
Mr Lochhead said: "We must safeguard our marine environment and I am calling for the Ministry of Defence to speed up their review of out-of-date restrictions so that legitimate interests are not disadvantaged.
"In my view this should include a clear commitment from the MoD that they will work with the Scottish Government to ensure any consultation relating to Scottish by-laws take on board the views and concerns of interested parties.
"It is vitally important that decisions on marine use take full account of the impact on other users and on the environment, particularly where proposals impact on fragile coastal communities.
"The huge economic and environmental importance of our seas can't be underestimated.
"The seas bring a vast array of benefits through scenery and wildlife and economic gains through industry including the contribution to food, energy security and the provision of a wide range of goods and services.
"I urge the Ministry of Defence to implement arrangements that produce outcomes that have taken full, open and transparent consideration of the issues and provide the highest level of protection."
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