Scottish Government has identified the need to improve how we manage surface water in Scotland. The Programme for Government: Protecting Scotland’s Future – The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2019-20 contains commitments to work together to increase Scotland’s use of blue-green infrastructure for drainage and flood management and to review our approach to blue-green cities and […]

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‘Marine Scotland has been accused of allowing “an environmental disaster” by mismanaging fishing and refusing to exclude trawlers from inshore areas where fishermen catch prawns. The Ferret A report, due to be released on 11 January by the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation (SCFF) – and seen by The Ferret – says that Marine Scotland‘s oversight of […]

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Controls over wild wrasse harvesting imposed By Robert Outram – 1st December 2020 Fish Farmer ‘The Scottish Government has announced mandatory controls over the harvesting of wild wrasse for managing sea lice in the salmon farming industry. Fishers will have to meet certain criteria, show they have an appropriate relationship with an aquaculture business and have a proven […]

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Scotland’s Marine Assessment 2020 launched December 21, 2020 by Marine Scotland Communications | Category Marine Scotland Science, Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor Marine (OCSAM) A new online platform which assesses the condition of Scotland’s marine environment and the human activity it supports has been launched.  More than 250 scientists have contributed to Scotland’s Marine Assessment 2020 which brings together […]

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New sites to offer protection for iconic species.  Minke whale, basking sharks and Risso’s dolphins will be among a wide range of biodiversity and geological features to be safeguarded following the designation of four new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). A further 12 sites have been given Special Protection Area status, providing additional protection to Scotland’s […]

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The leaked report is called a “Scottish Overall Assessment 2020” and examines the state of six vital habitats in 11 marine regions around Scotland. It is a draft dated October 2019 compiled by scientists from the government’s NatureScot, formerly Scottish Natural Heritage, and Marine Scotland. The report’s main conclusion is that the marine habitats in […]

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SAMS Strategy:  Director Prof Nicholas Owens said there was never a more important time to support marine science research as Scotland develops its Blue Economy, a crucial part of the country’s recovery post-lockdown.  A commitment to saving the oceans, Earth’s largest ecosystem, is embedded in the UN Sustainability Goals and, as we approach the UN’s […]

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