Significant concerns have been voiced by leisure marine, fisheries, and fish farming interests, all of which see increased regulation as a threat. Economic reservations have even been expressed by some of those otherwise in favour.

As far as the British Marine Federation (BMF) is concerned, the eventual introduction of a Scottish version or extension of the UK Marine Bill in Scotland will create a proper framework for Coastal Zone Management that can take care of local issues better than a national park, a concept that has yet to prove its economic worth in other parts of Scotland.

All this fuss is in advance of a site for a park even being selected. The consultation revealed that the both the greatest support, and the greatest opposition, were in respect of the Ardnamurchan, South Skye and Small Isles area, which seems set to become the battleground upon which minister Ross Finnie's personal ambition to create Britain's first C&MNP will be tested.

The creation of a Scottish Coastal & Marine National Park has been described as ‘a solution in search of a problem’ – a view endorsed by marine users fearful of the consequences of designation.