We recently wrote to Gillian Martin MSP, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy about our ongoing concerns around the protection of Scotland’s seas. For years the members of this coalition have been concerned that the Scottish Government has purported to lead on ocean conservation by confusing ‘designation’ of marine protected areas … [Continue Reading]
Standing up for our seas at Holyrood
Help us show our politicians that Scotland wants, and can have a better future for our seas! Scotland is a major case-study in the new film, Ocean with David Attenborough, which documents the hugely damaging impacts of bottom-trawling on marine habitats. Don McNeish, co-founder of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (a founding member of … [Continue Reading]
Scottish Government breaks promise to protect seabed and support low impact fishing
Dear Cabinet Secretaries Mairi Gougeon MSP and Gillian Martin MSP, We are deeply disappointed that the Programme for Government published today confirms the Scottish Government’s failure to introduce statutory protection for Scotland’s under threat marine habitats in this Parliamentary term. Scotland’s seabed is one our greatest assets and yet it has been systematically neglected. The … [Continue Reading]
The Future of Scottish Inshore Fisheries: A Call for Change
Scotland’s coastal waters are some of the most ecologically and economically important areas in the country. Covering 62,212 km², these inshore fisheries provide jobs, food, and a way of life for many coastal communities. But there’s a problem—decades of mismanagement have left our seas in crisis. Marine Scotland is asking for public input on the … [Continue Reading]
MSPs urged to listen to ‘Coastal Testimonies’
The following article was published in Fishing News on 11 Feb 2025 On 28 January, The Our Seas Coalition hosted a reception in the Scottish Parliament to showcase its Coastal Testimonies exhibition, with 17 MSPs and 160 people from all over Scotland in attendance. Bringing together photographs and written testimonies from over 50 people, including … [Continue Reading]
Local solutions for inshore fisheries management
The Scottish Government’s upcoming Call for Evidence on Inshore Fisheries Management presents a crucial opportunity to address long-standing challenges in Scotland’s inshore waters. Members of the Our Seas Coalition, an alliance of over 140 coastal businesses, recreational interests, community groups and environmental organisations, are urging the Government to create a system that balances economic resilience, … [Continue Reading]
Improved dialogue is key to rebuilding our inshore fisheries
The following letter was sent to the Herald in early November in response to the op-ed written by Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation as part of the ‘Future of Clyde Fishing‘ series Update: The letter was published in the Herald Letters here It is with sadness and frustration that members of … [Continue Reading]
Majority of Scots support banning bottom trawling and scallop dredging in Marine Protected Areas
A consultation on proposals to ban bottom trawling and scallop dredging in Scotland’s offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is closing on Monday (14th October) and a national survey indicates that most Scots want to see these damaging fishing practices banned in MPAs. The survey consisting of 2,034 people living in Scotland aged 16+, found that … [Continue Reading]
Touring exhibition will give voice to coastal communities
A major new multi-media exhibition will showcase the voices of people from coastal communities across Scotland about their perspectives on sustainability and hopes for the future of our seas. The Our Seas Coalition has gathered testimonies from a diverse range of people all around the country about their first-hand experiences of Scotland’s inshore seas. Commissioned … [Continue Reading]
A celebration of coastal voices coming to Eyemouth this July
A weekend celebration centred around a photographic exhibition sharing experiences of Scotland’s inshore seas with events inside and out organised in collaboration with National Trust for Scotland, Berwickshire Marine Reserve and Blue Marine Foundation The future of our seas depend on how we act in the next couple of years; the decisions we’re going to … [Continue Reading]