Photo by Mario Ray

Edinburgh, 6th October 2025 – The first ever Youth Manifesto for Scotland’s Seas, developed by young people from across Scotland, has been launched by Young Sea Changers Scotland (YSCS). It calls on political leaders to take bold action for Scotland’s seas to safeguard marine life, tackle climate change, and secure healthy seas for future generations.

Developed with input from young people from both coastal and inland communities, the manifesto sets out what they believe should be Holyrood’s priorities for Scotland’s marine environment following next year’s elections. The manifesto calls for bold steps, including:

• Ending the environmental damage caused by bottom-towed fishing within Scotland’s Marine Protected Areas.
• Incentivising low-impact, sustainable fishing practices.
• Tackling the scourge of single-use plastics which blight beaches and harm wildlife.
• Expanding ocean literacy programmes to ensure young people grow up understanding and valuing Scotland’s seas.

Issie Jeffrey, a 22-year-old from Edinburgh, one of the manifesto’s contributors, said:

“Scotland’s seas are incredible, but they’re under pressure. As young people, we want to make sure that future generations can enjoy thriving marine life, clean beaches, and coastal communities that are supported by healthy oceans. This manifesto is our way of saying: our voices matter, and we want action now.”

Phil Taylor, Director at the charity Open Seas added:

“This manifesto shows the passion and determination of Scotland’s young people to shape a sustainable future for our seas. Our seas are not owned by any business or sector of society – the sea and the life in it is a public resource which should be governed in a way that reflects the needs and interests of all of Scotland. Policymakers should listen carefully because these are the citizens, scientists, and leaders of tomorrow.” 

The launch comes in the wake of recent Scottish Government announcements that certain fishing gears will be restricted from Marine Protected Areas in Scotland’s offshore waters. Young people behind the manifesto say this is a welcome step but insist more action is urgently needed to secure healthy seas for future generations.

Caitlin Turner, a young member of YSCS, last week told members of the Rural Affairs & Islands Committee during an evidence session on the new measures:

“We need to see some boldness and bravery to make the hard decisions now because we are facing so much biodiversity loss. We are due to inherit whatever is left behind due to decisions made today.”

The manifesto was unveiled during the Sea Scotland Ocean Hustings, which brought together representatives from Scotland’s main political parties, NGOs, and community voices to debate the future of Scotland’s seas. Youth delegates presented the manifesto to party representatives during a roundtable event immediately prior to the hustings.

The full Youth Manifesto for Scotland’s Seas is available online  www.youthforseas.org/youth-manifesto.