25 Nov 2025
Photo by Tanya Barrow The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on 11 proposed joint UK fisheries management plans for demersal fish stocks, marking a significant step in delivering sustainable management of Scotland’s valuable whitefish fisheries. The plans cover eleven different demersal fish stocks, species that live and feed on or near the […]
04 Nov 2025
Photo by Bob Brewer Scottish farmed salmon survival rates have fallen to their lowest level in 35 years, with government data revealing a survival rate of 68.7% for smolts put to sea in 2021, according to the Scottish Government’s Fish Farm Production Survey. Historic low survival rates For smolts introduced to marine sites in 2021, the survival […]
30 Oct 2025
Image description: scenic view of Quiraing Mountains in Scotland. Photo by Petra Nesti / Pexels Steve Reed’s comments “risked misleading the public” The UK Statistics Authority concluded that comments made by Housing Secretary Steve Reed, during his tenure as Environment Secretary, ran the risk of misleading the public about Scottish Water’s environmental performance during a […]
07 Oct 2025
Photo by Jannet Serhan The Scottish Government is investigating after two boats were filmed allegedly scallop dredging in a marine protected area in the north-west Highlands. Footage shows the Dawn Maid and another vessel hauling up gear after being challenged in Loch Alsh, between the Scottish mainland and Skye. The activity was spotted on […]
10 Sep 2025
Image description: A beaver entering a pool of water. Photo by Niklas Hamann on Unsplash NatureScot has launched a new call for expressions of interest in releasing beavers into additional catchments across Scotland, as reported by NatureScot. The initiative aims to identify suitable habitats and gauge landowner support for future conservation translocations. This move […]
28 Aug 2025
Scotland is facing increasing water scarcity as prolonged dry weather continues to affect river levels, particularly in the east of the country. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued restrictions in areas where rivers have reached ‘significant scarcity’, the highest alert level. As reported by The Scotsman, SEPA has introduced curbs on […]
17 Jul 2025
The National Drought Group (NDG) met on 15 July as a drought is declared in the West and East Midlands. Dry weather continues to impact water resources across England requiring water companies to take action to manage demand with the public being urged to use water wisely. While drought conditions continue across much of the […]
01 Jul 2025
Should causing severe environmental damage be treated as a serious and distinct criminal offence? Are current penalties imposed by courts on individuals and organisations adequate? Could creating this offence impact on legitimate activities? These are the types of questions The Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee is putting to members of the public […]
