What a year 2016 has been. From demonstrations to consultations, there have been ups and downs this year but we’ve seen great strides for marine conservation, including the first round of Marine Conservation Orders and Inshore Fishing Orders to protect our most vulnerable inshore sites coming into force, the UK’s first and Europe’s largest harbour porpoise Special Area of Conservation and designation of the first demonstration and research MPA around Fair Isle. We’d like to thank you for your support and for taking part in helping get Scotland’s seas on course to an ecologically richer future.
Before we get caught up in all that 2017 has in store, here’s a quick look back at some of the key events in Scotland’s seas this year.
Very worrying results from a longterm study into PCB burden in cetaceans in European seas by ZSL. To learn more,… https://t.co/swQeZPk97y
— Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (@HWDT_org) January 14, 2016
.@RichardLochhead 's resolute defence of management measures for MPA's at @ScotParl yesterday https://t.co/j0tCLsYerF #CommunitiesForMPAs
— Arran Coast (@ArranCoast) January 15, 2016
West coast MPAs need your support now https://t.co/vlC3Te86bP With the right management MPAs can benefit fisheries pic.twitter.com/75FdtIbTBN
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) January 17, 2016
#coastalfutures 2016: @CalumDuncanMCS @mcsuk details Scotland's MPA incl @SaveScotsSeas Don't take the P campaign pic.twitter.com/khfLJj0unC
— Melissa Moore 🌍💙 (@MelissaMoore08) January 21, 2016
Three sperm #whales beached in #Skegness following #Hunstanton death. So sad https://t.co/RwzeMg9cQI pic.twitter.com/8Ry5SpAeGr
— Bryce Stewart (@BD_Stew) January 24, 2016
ScotGov blocks plans to protect harbour porpoises to help clear path for offshore wind farms https://t.co/ofrcEelAbk via @newsundayherald
— Rob Edwards (@robedwards53) January 24, 2016
It's difficult to fully explore the #deepsea, but increasingly more crucial that we do so. https://t.co/PBFX3QvRYq pic.twitter.com/fiVtT1dK03
— DSCC (@DeepSeaConserve) January 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/MeecoYoueco/status/692274824928960513
https://twitter.com/JohnFinnieHI/status/692287579929059328
Members of @SP_RuralClimate committee reject attempts by Conservative MSP @JamieMcGrigor to have Marine Protected Area regulations annulled.
— David Miller (@ObarChrombaidh) January 27, 2016
Today @SP_RuralClimate passed measures for #MPAs. Future generations will thank @scotparl @RichardLochhead for this https://t.co/pS4uKCirYr
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) January 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/MeecoYoueco/status/692283777234657280
Watch again @BBCDavidMiller piece on #ScottishMPAs and discussion at 12'48" here: https://t.co/h327nz2YwK @BBCScot2016 @mcsuk @SaveScotsSeas
— Calum Duncan (@CalumDuncanMCS) January 28, 2016
202 drinks containers picked up over 100m in 15 minutes. Let's sort it out! @yougotthebottle @mcsuk @scotgov pic.twitter.com/39FpfiYyPh
— Catherine Gemmell (@cathgem2000) February 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/RZSS_Education/status/697108728789790722
BBC News – Dead 15ft basking shark washes up in Scotland https://t.co/REzIO3bvJS
— Richard Dixon (@Richard_Dixon) February 20, 2016
"Majority of skippers understand MPAs are in best interests of local communities, environment & industry" https://t.co/pxJyDmhxZX @mcsuk
— Calum Duncan (@CalumDuncanMCS) February 19, 2016
Milestone in "25 years of community effort to safeguard our seas" says #FairIsle's Nick Riddiford via @shetlandtimes https://t.co/blROf8vbFX
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) March 2, 2016
Read our briefing about Marine Conservation Orders just passed by @SP_RuralClimate https://t.co/zgWpHxqS2b #LochSunart #SoundofJura
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) March 2, 2016
Fair Isle community welcomes public consultation on proposal for new Marine Protected Area #MPAs https://t.co/68NgxyX41c @SaveScotsSeas
— National Trust for Scotland (@N_T_S) March 2, 2016
Watered-down fisheries management risks potential of #MPAs to recover our precious #sealife https://t.co/mPhnn90Wwa pic.twitter.com/Z4AFSJc4t8
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) March 3, 2016
Agenda-setting overview of need for well-resourced regional #marineplanning by @RSPBScotland's @StuartHousden https://t.co/pfmCBUUUvz
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) March 9, 2016
After years of patient hard work #FairIsle community now has chance to secure more local stewardship of their seas https://t.co/4tWUlBAXQi
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) March 16, 2016
Thank you @AlexSalmond for supporting Scottish seabird recovery #choosesealife pic.twitter.com/mRf1pv0tWr
— RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) March 16, 2016
Where next for Scotland's MPAs? A stock-take on the MPA process #MPAsWork #MarineHealth https://t.co/YwolWm6ZfM pic.twitter.com/ZrZlS5WLyr
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) March 17, 2016
Our response to the seabird indicator for Scotland that was published today https://t.co/kyuFsaRS6K pic.twitter.com/Dar03YU9hL
— RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) March 18, 2016
New #blog from @StuartHousden on the EU moves to put a halt to seabird bycatch https://t.co/iqxyCaRsIi pic.twitter.com/KRtFfVyDnx
— RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) March 18, 2016
We outline key priorities for marine conservation in the 5th Scottish Parliament #Holyrood2016 #Enviromatters2016 https://t.co/WemzZWhw5n
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) April 18, 2016
New marine protection for St Kilda welcomed https://t.co/NIGiZv6E8D @SNH_Tweets pic.twitter.com/xVUdcxNQzN
— Third Force News (@ThirdForceNews) April 19, 2016
Defending the realm? #JointWarrior urgently needs updated Environmental Assessment says @dolmansarahj @WHALES_org https://t.co/LtOExbW9C0
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) April 27, 2016
Cool… Scots scientist cracks genetic code of oil spill clean up bacteria https://t.co/f7LNR1a34m By @kapaterson pic.twitter.com/7spROWhuKd
— Lang Banks, WWF (@LangBanks) May 10, 2016
SFF supports Demonstration & Research Marine Protected Area at Fair Isle – an inclusive partnership approach https://t.co/7tWo0aePSw
— SFF (@sff_uk) May 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/ScottishSeas/status/733218256773885952
Jellyfish soup sea cave North Rona Scotland @WildaboutScot @SaveScotsSeas @BBCScotland @RSPBScotland @CalumDuncanMCS pic.twitter.com/uV3HIepHjX
— Richard Shucksmith (@ImagesEcology) May 21, 2016
New #SPICeBriefing: an overview of the main #marine & #fisheries issues. Find out more here: https://t.co/plrmVqhFTI pic.twitter.com/w7EIhZ4Cxs
— Scottish Parliament (@ScotParl) May 26, 2016
Great to hear @strathearnrose update the @ScotParl on how she & rest of @scotgov will take forward MPAs & marine planning. @SaveScotsSeas
— Robin Parker (@R_J_Parker) June 1, 2016
Share our new film on marine community conservation to CELEBRATE #WorldOceansDay https://t.co/m1yCdwaUmi pic.twitter.com/LwCc3Z5Sh5
— Arran Coast (@ArranCoast) June 8, 2016
Happy #WorldOceansDay – we need to look after our ocean for our leviathans (and others)! #baskingsharks pic.twitter.com/cbxntcnkFM
— BaskingSharkScotland (@BaskingSharkSco) June 8, 2016
RT @SeaScotland: How are we managing our marine area? Increasingly topical issue #SeaScot16 on @BBCScot2016 18min40s https://t.co/TQMgLhkiSe
— NatureScot (@NatureScot) June 16, 2016
Our film for @BBCScot2016 about the inaugural Sea Scotland Conference 2016 at Dundee Discovery Point: https://t.co/fQ9q1DIYxT (from 18'50")
— Huw Williams (@HuwDWilliams) June 16, 2016
Charles Ehler's keynote address on #BlueSeasThinking – Spatial visions for #marineplanning kicks off the conference Fllw #SeaScot16 for more
— SeaScotland (@SeaScotland) June 15, 2016
.@DiscoveryDundee has been a truly inspiring venue for #SeaScot16 conference https://t.co/GCszBlAwND #SeaScot16 pic.twitter.com/GadaoEDtpY
— SeaScotland (@SeaScotland) June 16, 2016
.@ScotLINK President @joycemcm on #Brexit: It's critical that we ensure standards of environmental protection of EUlaw are upheld &enhanced
— Scottish Environment LINK (@ScotLINK) June 24, 2016
We've welcomed today's launch of marine Special Protection Areas consultation by @SNH_Tweets https://t.co/3xkwYXmhAm pic.twitter.com/fpQUGTfIYh
— RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) July 4, 2016
I’ve just announced £3m funding for coastal communities & consultation on new marine Special Protection Areas https://t.co/jQKZjGbvJO
— Roseanna Cunningham 🦣🏴🇪🇺🇺🇦🖖 (@strathearnrose) July 4, 2016
Co-signed letter to @strathearnrose urging #EU environmental commitments upheld https://t.co/ck5VvaCbAz. @mcsuk @SaveScotsSeas #Brexit
— Calum Duncan (@CalumDuncanMCS) July 4, 2016
Plastic waste dumped in UK seas 'carried to Arctic within two years' https://t.co/7uvBPGryWA
— Marine Conservation Society (@mcsuk) July 6, 2016
WWF urges Shell to find way to clean up 'potentially hazardous' North Sea legacy https://t.co/RcAq8ugoQi
— BusinessGreen (@BusinessGreen) July 5, 2016
Our smartphone app project has won a Heritage Lottery Fund award of more than £79,000! https://t.co/vMBPbf2EXj pic.twitter.com/FtEFE8QfgM
— Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (@HWDT_org) July 8, 2016
Snorkelling in Scotland @ScotWildlife #Snorkel #Scotland #Wildlife #Marinelife https://t.co/S2ymVpI5w3
— British Sub-Aqua Club (@BSACdivers) July 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/ScottishSeas/status/753120332882518016
Discussing #LivingWithTheSeas at 56'35" here: https://t.co/FgQgvMuv8S @mcsuk @ScotLINK @SaveScotsSeas @SamGardnerWWF @ScottishSeas
— Calum Duncan (@CalumDuncanMCS) July 13, 2016
5 reasons it might be ok to be optimistic about our oceans. Global action starts to pay off:https://t.co/bKpMjR0h1U pic.twitter.com/zAWSYcoRjW
— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) July 17, 2016
Community participation essential for effective #MarinePlanning @ScotLINK #LivingWithTheSeas https://t.co/faZZH4jhMC pic.twitter.com/Zcmd7sdWdn
— wwfscotland 🌍 (@WWFScotland) July 15, 2016
Orca hunting the shallows for prey and heading right towards us! Pic from our amazing encounter today by Hugh. pic.twitter.com/CT2E5if15f
— Shetland Wildlife (@ShetlandWild) July 26, 2016
#OceanOptimism was in focus at #IMCC3. It's in focus again at #IMCC4. Read more about why we need it – https://t.co/pdtVPHUNze
— IMCC7 (@IMCC2024) July 28, 2016
Our new blog: "Navigating the implications of #Brexit for Scotland's marine environment" https://t.co/n78v5VQhzM
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) July 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/ScottishSeas/status/758598862546333696
Worlds first Basking shark MPA would make Scotland a global leader. Why delay? The Scotsman https://t.co/UE5B6txtJg…
— Sarah Dolman 💙 (@dolmansarahj) July 29, 2016
Urgent protection needed for whales dolphins and basking sharks. Advice has been clear for two years: https://t.co/Dk8ASiBdJi @SaveScotsSeas
— Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) (@whalesorg) July 29, 2016
Scotland's coast is amazing. Here are just a few ways you can enjoy it. https://t.co/hk5K77v90z #NationalMarineWeek pic.twitter.com/uk8moyCsLp
— Scottish Wildlife Trust (@ScotWildlife) July 29, 2016
Humpback whale feeds off Aberdeenshire coast https://t.co/aUKzPebwF6
— wwfscotland 🌍 (@WWFScotland) August 2, 2016
New study shows that Fan Mussels (once on the verge of local extinction) could recolonise Scottish #MPAs https://t.co/0YoYa2Orsd #MPAsWork
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) August 8, 2016
BBC News – Drilling rig blown ashore in storms off Western Isles https://t.co/rOYYAyudkv
— Marine Conservation Society (@mcsuk) August 8, 2016
We flag proximity to MEHRA – poor safety record of Transocean Winner rig story https://t.co/iMVOx3Fi5m @mcsuk @robedwards53 @SaveScotsSeas
— Calum Duncan (@CalumDuncanMCS) August 14, 2016
Conservation charities unite to protect precious dune habitat https://t.co/pmf74mbuGC #notcoul pic.twitter.com/CtvFyCNJse
— Scottish Wildlife Trust (@ScotWildlife) August 30, 2016
Important session of @SP_ECCLR today with @CrownEstateScot + @marinescotland. Read view @ScotLINK's Governance Group https://t.co/6HyRCGNg65
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) September 6, 2016
Personal account of a Shetland kittiwake colony & how it's changed since 1990s on the blog: https://t.co/lOqO2Lc7xO pic.twitter.com/uYhkcW2uZB
— RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) September 6, 2016
Good to see ongoing @SNH_Tweets survey work for basking sharks and minke whales on the West coast https://t.co/z79uEUTqC5
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) September 6, 2016
Great! @KateForbesMSP highlights importance #marineplanning for communities in @Scotparl https://t.co/fIidcp07cG pic.twitter.com/5iSqsTmWDs
— Scottish Environment LINK (@ScotLINK) September 7, 2016
Great news for harbour porpoise as Scotland designates new conservation area!https://t.co/wg36DKQ3nG
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) September 27, 2016
Great to be in Scottish Parliament to meet the Environment Committee & chat all things #marine @SP_ECCLR @SaveScotsSeas @ScotLINK pic.twitter.com/mkEOvuGeVn
— Sarah Dolman 💙 (@dolmansarahj) October 4, 2016
Pleased to represent @Scotlink @SaveScotsSeas as new @clydemarineplan member today. https://t.co/I6mLLh4A1X … #MarinePlanning #MarineHealth
— Calum Duncan (@CalumDuncanMCS) October 5, 2016
Great to hear from @strathearnrose our government is committed to all marine legislation. There will be no BREXIT backsliding. #MPAsWork pic.twitter.com/RBdRGkgn1j
— Arran Coast (@ArranCoast) October 26, 2016
Great news! #FairIsleMPA officially announced by @strathearnrose today. @mcsuk #scottishseas
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) October 26, 2016
Thanks @ScotWildlife @RSPBScotland @mcsuk @Gameandwildlife @TheBotanics @forest_policy Tayside Biodiversity Ptnership for evidence yesterday pic.twitter.com/MUFjaoCVVC
— Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (@SP_NetZero) November 2, 2016
Listen LIVE as Parliamentarians celebrate biodiversity! https://t.co/HRxvQuxiJ7 @SpeciesChampion @ScotLINK
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) November 8, 2016
Proud to be @SpeciesChampion for the Flame Shell! See my speech from Tuesday here @ScotLINK @mcsuk @ScotWildlife https://t.co/VwqS2me2vl
— Maree Todd (@MareeToddMSP) November 10, 2016
A healthy marine environment, teaming with wildlife is fundamental for coastal prosperity #BlueNewDeal @NEF https://t.co/3IKRpsh8nL
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) November 18, 2016
Success for Scotland's beaches! Continued drop in carrier bags found 2nd year running since bag charge introduced @mcsuk https://t.co/5YWYOPVVRp
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) November 22, 2016
Scotland's deep sea coral reefs threatened by climate change. Importance of connected & well managed MPA network https://t.co/mXMeCrHa3k
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) November 23, 2016
Special Protection Areas can support marine birds and their habitats. Read @RSPBScotland's blog to find out more: https://t.co/NkJxnfbNt9 pic.twitter.com/Z8TSmvUckN
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) November 24, 2016
How should Scotland manage its offshore MPAs? Our blog welcomes the chance to protect/enhance these hidden habitats https://t.co/hwClygIJav
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) November 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/ScottishSeas/status/804364350299533312
Great news for wildlife! EU saves the laws that underpin #Nature conservation. Find out more here; https://t.co/SlnRAprumH #defendnature https://t.co/upBHAXt9fl
— Save Scottish Seas (@SaveScotsSeas) December 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/ScottishSeas/status/806524537873559552