Category Archives: Marine Protected Areas

A new approach to studying our marine habitats

The methods used by researchers at NatureScot underpin our evidence base and play a crucial role in effective decision-making and management of our marine environment. Dr Kelly James tells us of a new framework used by NatureScot to investigate linkages … Continue reading

Posted in Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPAs, Priority Marine Features, Research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The story behind the discovery of world’s first flapper skate nursery

On the blog today, one of our marine experts, Jane Dodd, explores the fascinating story of how the first report of an egg nursery for flapper skate was discovered and researched, leading to special protections for this critically endangered species … Continue reading

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Surveying for flapper skate eggs

Last week it was announced that the critically-endangered flapper skate is to gain further protection with the extension of Red Rocks and Longay urgent Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Inner Sound of Skye. In our latest blog, we take … Continue reading

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Sea-searchers recognised for 31-year contribution to marine conservation.

SNH has supported Seasearch in Scotland for many years now. The skills and enthusiasm of their union of marine life investigators has in turn supported our own research. Some of our marine team are Seasearch volunteers in their free time. … Continue reading

Posted in Awards, biodiversity, citizen science, coastal, Community engagement, conservation, mapping, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Priority Marine Features, Research, sea life, SNH, survey, Uncategorized, Volunteering, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stormie nights on Fair Isle

Fair Isle sits at the southernmost point of Shetland and its name derives from the Old Norse name Friðarey, meaning ‘island of peace’. Fair Isle is famous for its knitwear, historic shipwrecks and its diverse bird life, so what better … Continue reading

Posted in Birds, coastal, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Non-native species, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, seals, Shetland, SNH, survey, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Skate spotting and eggcase hunting

SNH skate tracking intern Rachel Mawer reflects on a recent trip to the Outer Hebrides and Shetland to raise awareness of some fascinating marine projects. Back in November, in conjunction with the Scottish Association for Marine Science, we launched the Skatespotter … Continue reading

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Monitoring the condition of our Marine Protected Areas

Almost 90 years after St Kilda’s last 36 residents were evacuated to the mainland, the islands remain hugely important for the wildlife they support.   The World Heritage Site hosts huge seabird populations, including the world’s second largest colony of North … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, Birds, conservation, cowries, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, photography, Priority Marine Features, Protected Areas, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, SNH, survey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cross-border partnership connects people and Marine Protected Areas

We’re really pleased to be part of a €6.4 million cross-border partnership project to improve the management and monitoring of several Marine Protected Areas between Northern Ireland, Ireland and the west coast of Scotland. Over the next four years the … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, coastal, Community engagement, conservation, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Priority Marine Features, Projects, Protected Areas, science, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized, wildlife management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New leadership’s first annual report sees year of successes and looks to the future

2017/18 was a year of change for SNH.  We welcomed a new Chair and a new CEO; and we refreshed our Corporate Plan, with an eye to the future and a stronger focus on the benefits that connecting people and … Continue reading

Posted in 25 years of SNH, active travel, biodiversity, climate change, coastal, Community engagement, conservation, deer, Green infrastructure, Habitat Map of Scotland, Land management, long distance routes, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, National Nature Reserves, National Walking and Cycling Network, Natural Capital, Outdoor learning, peatland restoration, Planning, Renewable Energy, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, survey, sustainable farming, sustainable travel, Uncategorized, Volunteering, website, wildlife management | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Biodiversity Beyond 2020 – Scotland’s Contribution

So what’s next for Scotland’s biodiversity?  Our CEO, Francesca Osowska took centre-stage to discuss Scotland’s contributions to biodiversity beyond 2020.  Here is her speech, in full, from the Business Breakfast at Scotland House, Brussels, 6 Nov 2018 as part of … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, climate change, coastal erosion, Community engagement, conservation, Green infrastructure, Habitat Map of Scotland, Marine Protected Areas, MPAs, National Nature Reserves, peatland restoration, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, The Flow Country, urban nature, wildlife management | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment