{"id":10595,"date":"2019-12-17T10:00:23","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T10:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/marine-scotland\/?p=10595"},"modified":"2023-09-18T11:58:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T10:58:27","slug":"protecting-inshore-waters-with-dignity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/marine-scotland\/2019\/12\/17\/protecting-inshore-waters-with-dignity\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Inshore Waters with Dignity"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> A few weeks ago we told you that we were running a pilot Inshore Protection Programme. One month on we spoke to the manager of that programme, Alexis Lee, to find out how it\u2019s going.<\/p>\n

“Protecting our inshore waters is something that is important to the Scottish Government and Marine Scotland and the inshore protection pilot is just the next step in considering how we do this in the most effective way.<\/p>\n

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Following current risk assessment and intelligence processes, it was agreed that as one of the busiest area of inshore waters, the Firth of Clyde – which covers the South Arran and Upper Loch Fyne and Loch Goil Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and No Take Zone – would be the best place to run a trial.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The trial is being undertaken by a Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) called \u2018Dignity\u2019 (you\u2019ll have that song stuck in your heads all day now\u2026). During the spring to autumn months, Dignity (pictured right) is used by our colleagues in Marine Scotland Science, so it\u2019s worked out well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As you can see from the photo, the Dignity is a small craft and shouldn\u2019t be seen as providing a suitable alternative to a fully equipped (live on board) 24 hour operational marine protection vessel. However, what it does provide is the ability to be onsite anywhere in that area within an hour.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During November, the first full month of operation, Dignity has been:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n