Tag: Marine Protected Areas

Community groups and environmental campaigners join forces to urge government action on marine protection

28 Mar 2025

In a briefing event for journalists and policymakers on Wednesday, environmental and community groups jointly criticised the Scottish government’s slow progress on marine protection. The event was hosted by Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of over 40 environmental groups, and Coastal Communities Network, a coalition of over 30 community-led groups that support action to restore […]

Safeguarding Scotland’s cetaceans: improving the effectiveness of marine protected areas

24 Feb 2025

By Vicki James, Protected Areas Coordinator at Whale and Dolphin Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a critical tool for protecting important areas for cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in Scottish waters. Around the UK, 11 MPAs have been designated specifically for cetaceans. However, research into the management effectiveness of these MPAs by Whale and […]

Dear Cabinet Secretary, we love Scotland’s seas. Please protect them before it’s too late.

21 Jan 2025

We asked supporters to write personal messages to Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, telling her why they care about Scotland’s seas. The messages came from across the country, from people with first-hand experience of the decline of our seas, and from people concerned about the world their children and grandchildren will inherit if we don’t act now.

Scotland’s Marine Protected Area network in 2024 – where are we now?

19 Dec 2024

Introduction Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated spaces of the ocean and seas where human activities are regulated to protect natural resources and biodiversity. These areas are well-evidenced conservation tools to preserve marine species and habitats  and enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems against threats such as climate change and overfishing. Scotland, like many countries, […]

Why Scotland’s failure to protect its seas simply cannot continue

30 Sep 2024

This piece first appeared in Scotland on Sunday on the 29th of September, 2024. Who doesn’t love a sea view? Scotland has glorious ocean vistas by the bucketload. But looking out to the horizon, we rarely think about what’s beyond view, deep below the surface. Scotland’s deep seas are home to extraordinary creatures, from whales […]

Out of sight, out of mind? Why we should care about protecting the deep sea

05 Sep 2024

The deep sea is one of those mysterious parts of planet earth – or should that be planet ocean? It’s so far away and out of reach that most people only hear about it occasionally in the news or on wildlife documentaries. But did you know that deep sea ecosystems have a powerful influence on […]

Marine protected area management – FAQs

26 Aug 2024

What are marine protected areas (MPAs)? Marine protected areas (MPAs) are like nature reserves underwater. They are defined areas of the sea set aside to protect and restore important or vulnerable marine species, habitats or ecosystems (communities of living creatures). Usually certain activities are managed (restricted or changed) within MPAs to reduce or prevent damage […]

Scotland’s MPA network: ten years of delayed ocean conservation

24 Jul 2024

By Esther Brooker, Fanny Royanez (Scottish Environment LINK) and Rebecca Crawford (Scottish Wildlife Trust)  It has been 10 years since a suite of 30 new nature conservation marine protected areas (MPAs) were designated in Scotland’s seas under Scottish and UK law. These were in addition to the MPAs already designated under European law. The purpose […]

Mind the MPA gap: Scotland still has a long way to go to protect its marine treasures

05 Jun 2024

Scotland’s stunning coastline and rich marine biodiversity are celebrated worldwide. To better protect these fragile ecosystems, the Scottish Government has established a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). However, a new research report has recently shed light on the pressing need for greater protection within this network. In this blog post, we’ll delve into this […]

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 […]

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