Marine Scotland Communications
Written 315 posts
Retain and report American lobster
14th October 2020
A campaign has launched to help raise awareness of American lobster.
Next steps on Future Fisheries Management
2nd October 2020
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing provides an update on plans for the future of fisheries in Scotland.
Protecting and researching our seas
25th August 2020
You may have seen our recent tweet showing the launch of the marine protection vessel (MPV) Hirta, it really is quite a thrilling moment when you watch the vessel hit the water. The MPV Hirta launched in Gdansk, Poland on 17 August 2007 and so began life on the waves as part of our fleet….
Sharks, skates and rays
13th August 2020
It’s shark week and with over 30 species of sharks, skates and rays recorded in Scottish waters there’s a lot to celebrate! Sharks are part of the elasmobranch family, which also includes skates and rays. Elasmobranchs differ from other fish in the sea by having a skeletal structure made out of cartilage as opposed to…
Marine Mammals – updated demographics – how do we measure that?
6th August 2020
Understanding the impacts of human activities, and preventing harm to habitats and species, is one of the biggest challenges to marine industries. The Scottish Government’s Scottish Marine Research Energy Programme (ScotMER) has published three new studies to assist when assessing the impact of offshore renewable developments on marine mammals. These new reports pull together key…
Why we publish our science
9th July 2020
From Japanese sardines to the effects of mackerel grazing on plankton in New Zealand, Environment Monitoring and Assessment Programme Manager Dr Bill Turrell explains why a 25-year-old Marine Scotland Science paper on understanding mackerel in Scotland is still having an impact today.
Plastic Bag Free Day
3rd July 2020
Today is Plastic Bag Free Day, a global initiative that aims to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags. So, to acknowledge this day, we’d like to highlight some of the important work that we, in Marine Scotland, do to reduce the amount of plastic and marine litter from entering our amazing aquatic environment.
Scotia resumes survey programme
30th June 2020
As with many other aspects of our lives at this time, our marine research vessel (MRV) survey programme of 2020 was significantly affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and ultimately stopped with the lockdown restrictions imposed in March.
However, in mid-June the MRV Scotia programme was permitted to resume with survey 0820S – the annual North Sea and West coast Nephrops underwater television survey (UWTV).
Day of the Seafarer
25th June 2020
Today is International Day of the Seafarer and with three protection vessels and two research vessels we certainly know a thing or two about life at sea. Marine Scotland, and its predecessors, have a long fleet history, with both research and patrol vessels at the heart of our work.
New Scheme to Help Aquaculture Sector Preserve Stock
22nd June 2020
Aquaculture businesses affected by the collapse of international markets due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can apply to cover the costs of maintaining unsold stock through a new £1.25 million fund. The scheme, which is being funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, will support businesses by compensating for the costs of transport, processing…