Open Seas’ Post

The Scottish Government's consultation on protecting offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) closes today. The consultation seeks views on the levels of protection that should be given to marine habitats within these areas from potentially damaging activities like bottom-trawling. Unfortunately the government's currently preferred approach is to protect just parts of these MPAs from harm (see our blog for details) to limit the economic impact. However, this based on economic assessments that are fundamentally flawed: the assessment is based on fishing activity being both completely lost and simultaneously being displaced to new areas. Both cannot be true. In our view, accurate and reliable assessments would find that comprehensive protection of sites like the Central Fladen Marine Protected Area would result in both better environmental outcomes, and better long term economic returns. Hopefully, responses to this consultation from the marine research community and concerned members of the public will encourage the Scottish Government to change tack. https://lnkd.in/e5Rz6zVP

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠: Government proposals to protect seabed habitats in the North Sea include measures that would leave two-thirds of a supposedly 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 open to the continued impacts of bottom-trawling. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/e5Rz6zVP

Our Director, Philip Rhodri Taylor spoke to BBC Radio Scotland Lunchtime Live following our investigation into ongoing damage to fragile marine habitats around the Isle of Rùm. This environmental damage is happening inside a Marine Protected Area that still has no protection after 10 years. Licensed by The Scottish Government – this isn't just harming ecosystems, it's also impacting livelihoods. Communities on Rùm and nearby islands depend on the sustainable use of our seas. Read our blog to find out more about how you can take action. https://bit.ly/47QPrXI #DecadeofDelay #MarineProtectedAreas #scottishfishing #BBCradio

Protect What’s Beneath the Surface: The Isle of Rum's Disappearing Ecosystems Our most recent investigations have revealed further damage, exposing the urgent need for real protection before it's too late. The waters around the Isle of Rum lie within the Small Isles Marine Protected Area (MPA), home to rare and vital marine life, from carbon-storing muds to the largest known bed of fan mussels in Scotland. But despite its "protected" status, bottom-trawling and scallop dredging continue to destroy these delicate habitats. Promises have been made by The Scottish Government to safeguard these waters for nearly a decade—but action is yet to follow. Our seas and future depend on it. Visit https://bit.ly/3XVCAQD to learn how you can help protect these vital ecosystems. #ProtectOurSeas #IsleOfRum #MPA #MarineLife #SustainableFishing #Scotland

Are you curious about what Open Seas get up to? Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive updates on our crew's activities, the latest news on our campaigns, and exciting insights into the marine industry. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/ewMmCuXP You can view our latest update here: https://bit.ly/3N59d81

Our Public Affairs Manager Rea joined parliamentarian speakers Anna Gelderd, Mark Pollardfi, Barry Gardiner and Maxwell Schmid at the #lab24 conference on Monday. They discussed everything the UK Government can do to put an end to IUU fishing. #illegalfishing #labourconference24

Our recent seabed survey near the Isle of Rùm revealed damage to marine ecosystems, despite the area being designated a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2014. Scallop dredging continues to harm vital habitats due to a lack of enforcement of protection measures. This neglect threatens both the environment and local communities dependent on sustainable seafood and ecotourism. The Scottish Government needs to implement the protections promised. Read our blog here: https://lnkd.in/e-5X4n3A #DecadeofDelay #MPAs #Scottishseabeds #actnow #conservation

Catch our Public Affairs Manager Rea Cris at the #LabourPartyConference today! She'll be talking all things illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Scotland's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) still lack effective protection a decade after their designation. Despite laws to safeguard Scotland's sensitive seabeds, 60% of MPAs allow damaging fishing practices like scallop dredging. Our recent findings reveal disturbing damage near Rum, with seabeds scarred by dredging gear—yet it's still legal. We are calling for urgent action from The Scottish Government to protect Scotland’s rich underwater ecosystems.  It's time to act now! Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eCaBjJr9 #DecadeofDelay #MPAs #Scottishseabeds #actnow #conservation