Pledge for marine protection in Scotland

The eagerly awaited plans to create a huge network of Marine Protected Areas around the coast of Scotland have now been published. In December, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee put forward 33 MPA proposals to the Scottish Parliament, including more sites for sea lochs, flameshell beds and fireworks anemones thanks to MCS.

Furthermore, four MPA search locations for dolphins, whales, basking sharks and large-scale features were identified, for which further information is being gathered. In total, the Scottish government is considering protecting 32,000 square miles of our seas, an area roughly as big as Scotland’s landmass itself!

Scottish Sea Champions have made a big push on collecting pledges of support over the winter which will be delivered to Scotland’s Environment Secretary in spring, prior to a public consultation this summer. So far, over 2,000 people have shown their support for the campaign. Can we reach 2,500? Sea Champions have been attending events far and wide to boost support.

You don’t have to live in Scotland to pledge – please pledge now!

Deadman’s finger sea slug, Loch Carron. Image: Paul Naylor.