Tag: save scottish seas

Scotland’s marine protected areas need real protection

21 Feb 2024

Scotland’s seas are renowned for their rich biodiversity. From fish to birds, marine mammals to invertebrates, they are home to thousands of fantastic species of plants and animals. They are loved by communities, are a key component of Scotland’s cultural heritage and identity, as well as a vital resource for those who rely on marine […]

Ocean recovery zones are vital to restoring our seas to health

25 Jul 2023

Scotland’s seas are amazing, and they matter to us all. Many people will be spending time on Scotland’s coasts this summer - rain or shine. Even just a day trip to the beach can feel like a little holiday, refreshing and replenishing us. That’s not all, of course. As anyone who watched the ocean episode of David Attenborough’s Wild Isles series will know, our seas are home to the most fantastic array of wildlife, much of which is hidden deep beneath the waves.

Evidence Base Briefing on HPMAs

02 May 2023

Summary: There is a very strong global evidence base showing that Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) have a positive impact ecologically and can support the fishing industry. HPMAs, also known as marine reserves or no take zones, act as nurseries and refuges and as such benefit marine species and habitats both within the protected area […]

Highly Protected Marine Areas – FAQs

07 Apr 2023

What are “Highly Protected Marine Areas” (HPMAs)?  Highly Protected Marine Areas are areas of the sea that are placed under strict protection to support ecosystem recovery and protect against climate change.  The Scottish Government has committed to giving a small proportion – just 10% – of our seas this strict protection. This is in line […]

Highly Protected Marine Areas can help tackle the ocean emergency – Calum Duncan

05 Apr 2023

No-one knows more than the communities living around Scotland’s vast coastline how important and stunning our seas are. The health of the ocean, and particularly the seabed, is at the heart of sustaining communities reliant on wildlife tourism, fishing and aquaculture. The ocean regulates half the oxygen we breathe. Our lives literally depend on it. […]

Taking Stock – Lessons learnt in 2020 and opportunities to set a clear path of Ocean recovery in 2021

17 Dec 2020

As 2020 comes to an end, it is time to reflect on this challenging year, and the opportunities that lie ahead!   As this challenging year comes to an end, we are all lifting our heads to the horizon for glimmers of hope. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated how much we all rely on nature […]

Don’t take the P out of MPAs

11 Nov 2014

Members of this campaign are deeply concerned that potential new management measures for Marine Protected Areas – announced this week – risk failing to protect and recover the very sea life which MPAs have been set up to protect. We are now launching a joint campaign urging the people of Scotland to tell the Scottish Government: ‘Don’t take […]

Marine report tells cautionary tale for Scottish Government

22 Apr 2013

A parliamentary report highlighting a chronic “lack of clarity” with English marine protection plans sends a strong signal to the Scottish Government about its proposals for a marine protected area network to safeguard Scotland’s marine biodiversity. The report by the cross-party UK Science and Technology Committee describes the “frustration” and “anxiety” for industry and other […]

The trickle-down benefits of MPAs

15 Jan 2013

Sea trout, like many species in Scotland’s waters, are in decline. And not just a gradual decline; in some regions they are on a disturbing trajectory towards local extinction, having fallen by over 75% in 20 years [1]. Government advice infers from the latest sea trout rod catch statistics that spawning levels of this fish […]

A Blanket Full of Holes

07 Jan 2013

Independent councillor for Lerwick South on Shetland Islands Council Dr Jonathan Wills argues that current plans risk creating conservation ‘islands’ in a sea of escalating industrial development… The crew of an alien spacecraft, entering the Earth’s atmosphere over the north of Scotland, could not fail to be impressed by the beauty of Shetland, Orkney and the […]

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