Category Archives: Marine Protected Areas

Great skua behaviour and Fair Isle’s lifeline

Fair Isle is Britain’s most remote inhabited island, 38 km from the next nearest island and 125 km from the northernmost tip of the UK mainland. A boat runs from the island but most visitors and most of the 60 … Continue reading

Posted in Access, biodiversity, Birds, coastal, conservation, graduate placement, gulls, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Protected Areas, SNH, survey, sustainable travel, Uncategorized, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unlocking the secrets of connectivity in our seas

In partnership with Heriot-Watt University we’ve been exploring the genetic connectivity of selected horse mussel beds. The results of this work will help to inform our advice on management of Scotland’s Marine Protected Areas (MPA) network and understanding of the … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, climate change, coastal, conservation, Ecology, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Protected Areas, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our work at sea

It’s marine month here at SNH and our focus throughout May will be on the wide range of work we’re involved with in or near our seas, and on connecting people with our fantastic marine wildlife and seascapes. Scotland’s coasts … Continue reading

Posted in basking shark, biodiversity, machair, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Renewable Energy, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SNH divers assess Loch Carron flame shell bed damage

Images of bright orange, dead flame shells strewn across the seabed in Loch Carron received widespread social and mainstream media coverage recently. Recreational divers had reported that the flame shell bed – a rare and ecologically important habitat – had … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, conservation, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, Priority Marine Features, Protected Areas, Research, sea life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A world of riches above and below Scotland’s seas

 A colourful catalogue showcasing the rich biodiversity in Scotland’s seas has just been published on our website. Illustrated with photos and maps, the intriguing catalogue describes Scotland’s 81 Priority Marine Features (PMFs). PMFs are the habitats and species considered to be … Continue reading

Posted in basking shark, biodiversity, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, photography, Priority Marine Features, Projects, Research, sea life, seals, Uncategorized, wildlife management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sharing information about Scotland’s special seas

At almost half a million square kilometres the sea around Scotland is six times the size of our land mass and home to huge variety of internationally and nationally important wildlife. From the smallest plankton, the foundation of marine ecosystems, … Continue reading

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Islands at the edge of the world: exploring St Kilda’s sea caves

The World Heritage Site, St Kilda, lies 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides and is the most remote part of the British Isles. With life on the islands becoming increasingly challenging, the archipelago’s last 36 human residents … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, Geology, Glasdrum NNR, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, National Nature Reserves, Nature in art, photography, sea life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Protecting Scotland’s maerl beds

The Scottish Government used an Urgent Marine Conservation Order (MCO) for the first time at the end of 2014, to protect a fragile ecosystem in the sea off Arran. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead made the order in response to fishing … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, MPAs, photography, Priority Marine Features, Projects, Protected Areas, Research, Uncategorized, website | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Scotland’s Priority Marine Features – serpulid reefs

Scotland’s coasts and seas are home to around 8,000 animal and plant species. Priority Marine Features (PMFs) are the  81 species and habitats that we consider to be conservation priorities in our waters. The PMF list is used to help … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, Marine, Marine Protected Areas, MPA, photography, Priority Marine Features, Protected Areas, Research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment