03 Feb 2026
Photo by Waldemar Brandt The Scottish Government has published an updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement, raising its offshore wind ambition to up to 40 GW of new capacity by 2040, in addition to already operational or consented projects. The policy update, published on 28 January 2026, reaffirms Scotland’s commitment to delivering its existing project […]
16 Dec 2025
Photo by Andrew D Environment charities have reacted with frustration after the Scottish government announced that fisheries restrictions in marine protected areas, originally due to be implemented in 2016, are to be delayed for the fourth time. Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, announced this week that the consultation on inshore fisheries management measures for […]
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 […]
21 Oct 2025
Photo by Andy Grayson The Scottish Government has implemented new fisheries management measures protecting over 176,900 km² of Scotland’s 20 offshore Marine Protected Areas and Special Areas of Conservation from bottom-towed fishing gear. The restrictions, which came into effect on 16th October, represent a significant step forward for marine conservation but have sparked debate […]
08 Sep 2025
Photo by NOAA Scotland has announced new restrictions on bottom trawling across offshore Marine Protected Areas, representing what officials describe as a “major milestone” in marine protection, though environmental groups have criticised the measures for deliberately leaving the most heavily fished areas open. The fisheries management measures, coming into effect from 16th October, cover twenty MPAs […]
19 Aug 2025
Photo by Yomex Owo The Scottish Government’s new seabird conservation action plan has received a mixed reception from conservationists, with leading wildlife groups welcoming the strategy whilst warning that recent offshore wind farm approvals could undermine its effectiveness. The Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan, launched on 13 August at the Scottish Seabird Centre in […]
05 Aug 2025
Photo of Gannets on Bass Rock by Kristin Snippe The Scottish Government has approved one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, the Berwick Bank project, despite fierce opposition from conservation groups who warn it could drive vulnerable seabird species toward extinction. The 4.1 gigawatt development, located 23 miles off Scotland’s east coast in […]
04 Mar 2025
The UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has delivered a roadmap to guide how we observe the ocean to increase our understanding of the potential impacts of expanding offshore wind developments on the marine environment. The Scoping an Offshore Wind Sustained Observation Programme report was commissioned by the Scottish Government’s Scottish Marine Energy Research Programme, to help […]
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