Freshwater

LINK’s Freshwater Group aims to promote good management of activities in our lochs, rivers and wetlands

Group Objectives

  • Supporting the implementation of Scotland’s River Basin Management Plans, ensuring they deliver meaningful improvement in the ecological status of rivers, lochs and wetlands, and that targets are met in practice rather than remaining aspirational.
  • Strengthening action on water quality and pollution reduction, including tackling agricultural diffuse pollution, sewage discharges and other pressures impacting freshwater biodiversity.
  • Promoting catchment-scale restoration and management, ensuring land and water management are better integrated to restore natural processes and support freshwater habitats.
  • Advancing protection and recovery of freshwater biodiversity, including priority species and habitats and ensuring policy delivery is aligned across agriculture, planning and climate adaptation.
  • Monitoring and influencing implementation of freshwater-related commitments across Scottish Government policy.
Convener

Craig Macadam (Buglife)

Staff liaison

Juliet Caldwell

Latest News

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Scotland urged to act now to restore its rivers and lochs: new report sets agenda for next River Basin Plan

03 Nov 2025

Scottish Environment LINK has today launched a new report, Restoring Scotland’s Waters, calling on the Scottish government to take urgent action to protect and restore Scotland’s rivers, lochs, wetlands and coastal waters ahead of its next River Basin Management Plan due in December 2027.

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The Importance of Freshwater Ecosystems

13 Dec 2022

The new Scottish Biodiversity Strategy offers a significant opportunity to restore Scotland’s ecosystems and reverse species declines. Our natural environment is in crisis, and we urgently need an ambitious new strategy with clear targets. Freshwater ecosystems are essential for biodiversity, providing habitat for a wide array of aquatic species while also helping to reduce the […]

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Set Scotland’s rivers free

12 Jul 2022

Scotland is renowned for its rivers and lochs. Our freshwaters provide a home to iconic species such as Atlantic Salmon and Freshwater Pearl Mussels. They provide drinking water, and are used to generate electricity. They support game fisheries, and are essential for the production of food and drinks, including whisky. Freshwaters are important for our […]

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