This project has produced a descriptive catalogue of 81 Priority Marine Features (PMFs) that have been identified in the seas around Scotland. The catalogue serves as a reference for ongoing nature conservation action. Descriptions for each PMF (including component habitats and species where appropriate) comprise an image, distribution map and short text outlining the characteristics, […]

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‘Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) welcomes the announcement today on the future of beavers in Scotland by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham. SNH chairman, Ian Ross, said: “The Scottish Government’s decision will see the return of a species which was part of our wildlife for thousands of years, before […]

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A Consultation on proposals to establish the interim body to manage The Crown Estate assets in Scotland post-devolution Overview The Scottish Government is supportive of the Smith Commission’s recommendations to devolve powers in relation to the management and revenues of Crown Estate assets in Scotland, which are in line with policy objectives to ensure that […]

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Scottish Legal News: RSPB wins legal challenge to put four Scottish wind farms on hold A bird conservation charity has successfully challenged plans to develop four offshore wind farms in the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay. A judge in the Court of Session ruled that the decisions by the Scottish Ministers to grant consent for the construction […]

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Scottish Government ‘Measures to conserve Scotland’s marine environment and protect important seabed features will be put in place, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed today. The Marine Protected Areas, (MPAs) will improve marine conservation, for example by protecting kelp and rocky reefs to reduce coastal erosion, and seagrass beds which capture and store carbon and provide […]

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Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust ‘Sightings of juvenile minke whales increased in 2015 to the highest ever recorded within a survey season, during marine research expeditions carried out by the HW&DT indicating either significant increase in actual numbers of influx of minke whales from elsewhere – to read more go to: http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/stand_alone.asp?page=minke-baby-boom.asp

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