February 25, 2015
Our seas need protecting
Unless you fish or dive you’re unlikely to have much idea of what life on the seabed looks like. But there’s a hidden crisis facing Scotland’s marine environment and only those whose lives are inextricably bound up with the sea seem to be aware of it. A community group on Arran were one of the first to wake up to the devastation inflicted on the seabed caused by dredging and bottom trawling. COAST’s campaign to secure the first ever No Take Zone designation was a milestone and now other coastal communities are starting to organise.
25/2/15
Fauna & Flora International is coordinating an initiative that will provide technical and practical support and best practice guidance to those coastal communities around Scotland who want to conserve their local marine areas. This builds on our existing partnership with the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), a community based organisation on the isle of Arran off the west coast of Scotland that has been uniquely successful in gaining protection for its local coastal area and has learnt important lessons that could prove invaluable to other communities. Ultimately the project hopes to create a network of communities, allowing them to work together to share their experiences and benefit from a louder voice in the debate around the future of Scotland’s seas.
Watch a short video explain the work to protect Scotland’s marine environment HERE