01 Nov 2023
01 Nov 2023
Biodiversity improving in English rivers
From Make Water Famous A study in England has found that freshwater macro-invertebrate richness has increased over the past 30 years, indicating a positive trend in biodiversity. Aquatic macro-invertebrates are insects in their nymph and larval stages, that spend at least part of their lives in water. They play a large role in freshwater ecosystems […]
01 Nov 2023
Apply now for a Marine Conservation Social Fund Grant – Sea-Changers
Apply now for a Marine Conservation Social Fund Grant We are delighted to announce that Sea-Changers Marine Conservation Social Fund 2023/24 has opened. The aim of the Marine Conservation Social Fund is to support socially beneficial marine conservation approaches and solutions. Its unique emphasis is that (as well as supporting marine conservation outcomes) projects will […]
31 Oct 2023
Single use plastic ban comes into force in Wales
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Act 2023 now come into force making it a criminal offence to supply or offer to supply (including for free) certain single-use plastic products to consumers in Wales. The purpose of the new law is to reduce the flow of plastic pollution into the environment by prohibiting the […]
31 Oct 2023
212% increase in seagrass cover in Cawsand Bay
Following the installation of an Advanced Mooring System in Cawsand Bay four years ago, in a joint project by the Ocean Conservation Trust and Marine Conservation Society there has been a 212% increase in seagrass cover. Traditional anchoring and mooring systems cause damage to delicate seagrass habitats, as the chain drags along the seabed disturbing […]
31 Oct 2023
Survey of preferences of Scottish people towards management of marine & coastal areas
A report summarising the results of a choice experiment survey that was designed to capture the preferences of Scottish people towards the management of marine and coastal areas in Scotland has been published by the Scottish Government. The study was carried out to improve understanding of the economic value people place on key environmental and […]
31 Oct 2023
Research spotlights vital importance of Hebrides for vulnerable minke whale
Scotland’s west coast seas are a vitally important area for minke whales – with some of these spectacular but vulnerable marine mammals notching up Europe’s longest sighting histories of almost 30 years, research by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, shows. A newly published digital catalogue bringing together photographic identification records submitted by members of […]
31 Oct 2023
I-VMS roll-out phase for under six metre vessels
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is now commencing the roll-out phase of inshore vessel monitoring system (I-VMS) devices to under six metre vessels. This phase continues the MMO’s support for all under 12 metre vessels to enable them to meet the requirements to have an I-VMS device once legislation comes into force early 2024. Fishers […]