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Funding for The Green Blue in Scotland is provided by The Crown Estate through its Marine Stewardship Fund. Established in 1999, The Marine Stewardship Fund has already distributed over £1 million to a wide range of practical projects around the coast. The fund was established to provide grant-aid to practical projects and programmes which contribute to the development of best practice, and make a significant contribution to the environmental management and stewardship of the marine estate.
The Green Blue has also been awarded funding from Scottish Natural Heritage which allow us to hold a series of informative seminars aimed to advice all involved in recreational boating about the environmental issues affecting businesses and individuals. SNH was established in 1992 through the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991.SNH is a Government body responsible to Scottish Executive Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. Much of their work is done in partnership with others – local authorities, Government bodies, businesses, community groups, farmers and other land managers, and a wide range of representative bodies.
Anyone who wishes to get involved, or who can advise on potential sponsorship opportunities should contact Julia Chrisite at Julia.Christie@thegreenblue.org.uk or on 0131 317 7388.
24/02/09
The Grab Trust (the Group for Recycling in Bute and Argyll) announce 2 events to focus our minds on marine litter and creativity.
Beach CleanWhy not join in a community beach clean at Kilmory Bay on Sunday 1st March - it’s your opportunity to help remove the detritus of modern life.
To see the details on the beach clean click here.
If you would like to know what you could do with beach rubbish, then why not pop along to Kilmartin House Museum on 28th February and join in the ‘Art from Beach Litter’ workshop run by Colonsay artist Jane Rose. Children can also join in the fun (with Aisa Nebreda from the GRAB Trust and The Green Blue volunteer) and design and make their own bird mobile. An ‘Island Tidelines’ exhibition of the work of Jane Rose also begins at the museum from 1st March.
To find out how to join in the fun click here.
To learn more about the GRAB Trust and visit their website click here.
18/02/09
British Waterways’ has included a rule in its new licence terms about discharge of waste or so called ‘grey’ water from boats, boaters should now only use phosphate-free detergents.
British Waterways are concerned that excessive amounts of plant nutrients – mainly phosphates are present in the network’s water, which can cause a proliferation of plant and algae growth.
Too many aquatic plants can become an obstruction to navigation, cause levels of oxygen in the water to fall dangerously low, and prevent rare and more delicate plants from growing. Too many algae can also cause oxygen levels to fall, and some species (blue green algae) can produce a scum that is potentially harmful to humans, pets, and farm animals.
British Waterways (BW) has always allowed boaters to discharge "grey water" (waste water from sinks and showers) overboard. This is perfectly legal and has not caused any problems to date. However, the number of boats using the network is growing, and there is also a trend for some to have dishwashers and washing machines, with the waste water plumbed into the grey water system. This means that the amount of pollution from boats is gradually increasing, and at a time where other forms of pollution are being better controlled.
In most waterways the amount is still small compared with other sources, but BW need to show that they are doing all that is reasonable to control the situation. BW realise that a ban on overboard discharge of grey water would be very inconvenient for boaters, but think that using phosphate-free detergents and soaps is something that all boaters can do at minimal cost. Indeed for some time BW has recommended the use of "environmentally friendly" detergents in the Boaters Handbook.
There are an increasing number of "green" products on the market, many of which will be phosphate-free (it will say on the label). Examples are Ecover, Tesco’s "Naturally" range, Sainsbury’s "Cleanhome" range, Faith in Nature’s "Clear Spring" range, or the Bio-D range available from many Oxfam shops. For washing machines, some "wash-balls" are also phosphate-free, such as the T-Wave laundry discs.
Shampoos and shower gels by ethical stores such as Lush and Body Shop are also likely to be acceptable according to BW’s website Waterscape.
It is clearly not feasible for BW to monitor compliance with any rigour, but should water quality problems occur in a particular area that are related to phosphates from boats, the licence condition gives BW the necessary power to take enforcement action.
Fot The Green Blue's advise on cleaning you boat click here
To visit the Inland Waterways Association website click here
03/02/09
Join The Green Blue for an evening of top tips and advice on how you can help protect Scotlands coast and Waterways
Julia Christie from The Green Blue and volunteers from the MVS Tay will be speaking on all things environmental at the Royal Tay Yacht Club on Wednesday 11th February. If you are a member of Royal Tay Yacht Club or a nearby sailing club, then you are welcome to join us and be inspired.
For more information click here
03/02/09
Keen angler, environmentally minded and would like to support the conservation of sharks? ....Then this shark tagging event may be of interest to you. The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN) are holding a three day shark tagging event in June to help provide information for shark conservation in Scottish Waters. If you would like to participate in this ‘no take’ event then please read the SSACN information below:
27/01/09
The Green Blue has now recruited it's first volunteers in Scotland and has recently held a very successful volunteer training day in Scotland. Kindly hosted by Royal Gourock Yacht Club, new recruits travelled from across Scotland to participate in the one-day training course.
29/01/09
Many of you kindly responded to our questionnaire this time last year and The Green Blue has had a busy year in Scotland since, raising awareness and distributing our environmental advice for recreational sailors, clubs and businesses. We have now trained 6 volunteers around Scotland, so hopefully we will be able to give more talks and reach more clubs in 2009. In order to start planning our talks programme for the New Year, if your club/association would like us to come and speak to committee and general members, then please contact me (see below)
21/01/09
As The Green Blue, the environment programme for the Royal Yachting Association and the British Marine Federation, celebrates its first and very successful year in Scotland, they are delighted to announce and welcome Boyd Tunnock CBE as an ambassador for the project.
21/01/09
Wild Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage have teamed up with WiSe (Wildlife Safe) to deliver two one-day training courses for marine tourism operators. WiSe is a UK-wide accreditation programme aimed at boat operators (skippers and crew)
27/11/08
The forth Estuary Forum and Annual conference will be helf on thursday 4th December 2008 at the Inchrya Grange Hotel, Polmont near Grangemouth
07/11/08
Wild Scotland is delighted to announce its annual conference "Wildlife Tourism: Bucking the Trend" will be held on Thurday 27 November 2008 at SNH Conference Centre, Battleby, Nr Perth.
27-10-08
Scotland’s seaweed could be the latest weapon in the fight against climate change, according to a new report to be published tomorrow (Monday 27 October) commissioned by The Crown Estate and conducted by researchers at The Scottish Association for Marine Science. The report details the potential of farming marine algae to be used to produce biomass to heat homes and fuel transport while avoiding the problems associated with biofuels, such as the use of valuable agricultural land.
26-09-08
Children Improve Clubs' Green Credentials
Loch Tummel Sailing Club is in one of the most beautiful parts of Perthshire, on the south west shore of Loch Tummel, a National Scenic Area. Loch Tummel is surrounded by forest and mountain scenery and there is an abundance of wildlife on the shores and in the river.
26-09-08
Largs Yacht Haven Minimises the Risk of Pollution
Since its initial development back in 1984, LargsYacht Haven has undergone more expansion and now accomodates over 700 berths on the pontoons and 230 on hard standing. The site is also home to Largs Sailing Club, the Scottish Sailing Institute, slipway, restaurant, chandlery, boat broker, sail makers and repair businesses.
04-08-08
The Green Blue attends the Maritime Festival in Stornoway
The Green Blue attended this year’s 10th annual Sail Hebrides Maritime Festival in Stornoway and helped the event organisers to ‘think green’ and encouraged participants to minimise their environmental impact whilst enjoying the sailing activities on offer. Project Officer, Julia Christie, see photo, gave an environmental briefing For the full
05-07-08
Lamlash bay, Isle of Arran is a popular destination for dinghy and cruising sailors in the Clyde, offering great scenery and a sheltered bay with visitor moorings. Whilst sailors only tend to see the above water scenery, the underwater habitat is equally stunning. Divers undertaking survey work discovered beautiful maerl (1) seaweed beds, which are important nursery grounds for young fish and shellfish. Concerns over damage to the seabed from scallop dredging and fishing activities prompted the local community to get together and discuss proposals to help protect marine wildlife in Lamlash Bay and the Clyde.
Follow the MCS Good Fish Guide
Whilst sailing in Scotland’s beautiful waters, if you are thinking of doing a bit of fishing or buying fish for your supper then it is worth checking out the advice from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Good Fish Guide.
Enjoy watching whale and dolphins in Scotland responsibly whilst helping to monitor their numbers.
Whilst sailing in Scottish coastal waters it is likely that you will see basking sharks, whales and dolphins.
Go along to Port William on Sunday 8th June to take part in the World's Ocean Celebration Day. There will be a range of activities for all ages and they are all free of charge! You can learn about the marine world including fishing, scuba diving, sea birds, seafood cookery with Douglas Lisis, marine mammals with the MCS Cool Seas Roadshow and lots, lots more! The Green Blue publications will be available to take away with you. For more information visit »
http://www.solwayfirthpartnership.org.uk/diary.asp
The hugely popular How to... guide has been re-written for the Scottish audience updating the 'useful information' links to direct readers to the relevant organisations and initiatives in Scotland. To request your copy of the guide please email scotland@thegreenblue.org.uk or download the pdf version.
Our cartoons bring to life advice on energy saving measures that the recreational boater can consider whilst taking to the water in our great climate. Month by month get great energy savings tips.
»The Green Blue | Energy Saving Cartoons
The Green Blue are pleased to announce their new ‘Top Tips.....to help you protect Scotland’s coast and waterways’. This great looking leaflet has some helpful tips and advice on how recreational boaters can minimise their environmental impact. It is an ideal inclusion into club handbooks, newsletters or pilot and harbour guides. Alternatively print off a copy and display as a poster on your notice board.
So please feel free to take this opportunity to download an A4 or A5 pdf version
28-02-08
11-02-08
08-01-2008
05-12-2007
26-10-2007
10-10-2007
The Crown Estate
BMF Scotland
RYA Scotland
Scottish Coastal Forum
Scottish Inland Waterways Association
SEPA
Scottish Natural Heritage
Clean Coast Scotland
Sport Scotland
