Marine Scotland Communications
Written 418 posts
A new study shows that the seabed landscape crucial for fish conservation
12th December 2017
A new study, led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and Marine Scotland Science and that is published in PLOS ONE, demonstrates the importance of protecting different seabed landscapes in order to maintain a healthy and diverse stock of fish, including cod, haddock and whiting. Currently nature conservation and…
Taking the Sea-Bird to the Faroe-Shetland Channel
8th December 2017
Duration: 8 – 18 December 2017 Gear Sea-Bird CTD/Carousel, Plankton Nets (ARIES), water filtering equipment Objectives Test the CTD in the Buchan Deep off Peterhead and test plankton crane and ARIES at an appropriate location before its first use. Perform routine hydrographic sampling at stations along the long term monitoring JONSIS section in the northern…
Having eel-y good fun on the Alba na mara
6th December 2017
Duration: 6-19 December 2017 Equipment Sandeel dredge × 2 (modified 4′ scallop dredge with 6″ teeth and spare toothbars) with towing bar and camera attachment. TV camera. Minilogger (or equivalent). Objectives To determine the abundance, length and age of sandeels in the sediment from regions east of the Firth of Forth and around Turbot bank….
Meet our scientists – Helen Downie
5th December 2017
Who are you and what do you do? I’m Helen Downie, a fisheries biologist in the Salmon Assessment Group, based at the freshwater field laboratory in Montrose. I’m also involved with the Women and Equalities Network, which is looking to address gender balance in Marine Scotland. Lastly, I also act as the local admin cover here in Montrose, so if…
New report published on Scottish Scallop Stocks: Results of 2016 Stock Assessments
4th December 2017
Today we’ve published the latest in its Scottish Marine & Freshwater Science series – Scottish Scallop Stocks: Results of 2016 Stock Assessments. Scallops are an important species for the Scottish fishing industry. The Scottish commercial dredge fishery for king scallop (Pecten maximus) began in the 1930s in the Clyde. It has since expanded around the coast…
The power of MRSea
4th December 2017
Renewable energy from offshore wind, wave and tidal stream developments is a key component of the Scottish Governments’ ambitions for creating a low carbon economy that contributes to action on climate change. However, concern exists over the potential for such marine developments to negatively impact seabirds, marine mammals, and other protected species or habitats. A…
Finding flatfish in the Forth and Fife
1st December 2017
Duration: 30 November – 4 December Sampling Gear: BT 158 with 50 mm cod-end 2 m beam trawl with 50 mm cod-end Day grab and table Catamaran and neuston net Objectives To undertake flatfish sampling in St Andrews Bay, inner Firth of Forth, and the Forth estuary in support of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring…
Understanding how seals use the water column in tidally energetic areas
30th November 2017
As the tidal renewable industry continues to grow, increasing our understanding of the way that marine mammals use tidally energetic areas is of particular importance. This is a particular issue as there is increasing evidence that tidal energetic areas can be important foraging areas for marine mammals, therefore understanding how marine mammals use the water…
New paper on amoeba studies published
27th November 2017
A new scientific journal article written by researchers at Marine Scotland Science (MSS), in collaboration with the Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre (SFIRC) at the University of Aberdeen, has been published in the Journal of Fish Diseases. The principal author, Rachel Chance, is a PhD. student funded by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement…
Meet our scientists – Dr Coby Needle
21st November 2017
Today is World Fisheries Day, so what better day to introduce you to our Sea Fisheries Programme Manager, Dr Coby Needle! Who are you and what do you do? I am Dr Coby Needle, and for the past two (and a bit) years I have been the Sea Fisheries Programme Manager at Marine Scotland Science,…