01 Dec 2014

‘SNH Commissioned Report 761: Assessment of carbon budgets and potential blue carbon stores in Scotland’s coastal and marine environment: This report provides the first comprehensive assessment of the carbon budgets and potential blue carbon stores in Scotland’s coastal and marine environment. So-called ‘blue carbon’ is captured and stored by a wide range of species of […]

07 Oct 2014

Explaining MPAs   A different and refreshing approach to explaining MPAs – thanks to Keith Hiscock for passing this on http://grist.org/living/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-marine-protected-areas/   The Government Response to Environmental Audit Committee Report The Report, Marine protected areas: Government response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2014-15 has been published as the Committee’s Sixth Special Report, HC 651. It provides a […]

29 Jul 2014

Scotland’s iconic marine species and habitats will be better protected following the designation of 30 Marine Protected Areas. Scottish Government   ‘Sites will protect a range of habitats and species including flameshell beds, feather stars, the common skate and ocean quahog, a large mollusc which can live for centuries. They will also protect sandeels – a […]

29 Jul 2014

MPs have cast doubt on the Government’s commitment to protect sea life in Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) after less than a quarter of the recommended sites were designated and inadequate enforcement provisions put in place. Report: Marine Protected Areas Report: Marine Protected Areas (PDF) Inquiry: Marine Protected Areas Environmental Audit Committee   Committee Chair   Chair […]

11 Jul 2014

In 1998 Daniel Pauly and co-workers published a paper in Science describing the concept of fishing down the food chain using FAO landings data. Recent and forthcoming publication of papers using ICES landings data demonstrate that fishing down the food chain in UK waters is now a reality and that its impacts are wide ranging […]