Scotland

scotland

We are pleased to announce the launch of The Green Blue in Scotland, we are sure this will provide an excellent opportunity to push the interests of recreational boating up the political agenda. As the work of AGMACS (Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy) develops, we hope that the Scottish Executive will support and promote The Green Blue as part the ‘voluntary route’ it is advocating.

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.

05-07-08

Lamlash Bay - Community Marine Conservation Area Update

A proposal for the first community Marine Conservation Area in Scotland, in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran was announced by the Scottish Government in January and consultation closed on 5th June 2008.

Lamlash Bay Marine Reserve.gif The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) initiated proposals for the marine reserve, which over the last two years has been developed by the Lamlash Bay Working Group, comprising community representatives from COAST, the fishing industry and conservationists.

The proposals are intended to protect local shellfish populations and the maerl (1) seaweed beds which act as important nursery grounds for young fish and shellfish, thereby maintaining and improving marine biodiversity. The proposed Community

Marine Conservation Area will include:

a marine reserve where there will a ban on all fishing activity (see map)
a fisheries management area in the remainder of the bay

Scientific monitoring, especially for scallops will also be carried out.

“The proposals strike a balance between fishing and marine conservation” - Richard Lochhead, Environment Secretary.

Do your bit in Protecting Marine Biodiversity: When sailing in the beautiful waters around Arran or when visiting by boat please be aware of these proposals, respect the Marine Reserve and do not fish in the No-Take Zone. Offenders face prosecution and a fine.

For further information on the proposals and consultation visit:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/18144031/0

1 Maerl is a free living form of some calcified red sea weeds that can form deep beds and reefs. It provides an important nursery ground for young fish and shellfish, offering food and protection from predators. Maerl can support over 600 species, including Queen Scallops which are found in greater numbers on maerl than in other habitats.

04-07-08

Fancy fishing for you supper?!

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.

In 2002 the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) published the Good Fish Guide which aimed to educate consumers about how fish were produced and to provide advice on which fish to choose and when. You can still download their pocket Good Fish Guide, but there is now a web based version with information on which fish to eat, which to avoid, minimum landing sizes, maturity and purchasing choices for 150 fish species (www.fishonline.org ). Before casting that fishing line though, just check that you are not in a No-Take-Zone first!

If it is all too much to remember then the Good Fish Guide has been put into song by the Oxford Band, Stornoway. You can listen to this snappy song on www.myspace.com/stornoway and it can also be downloaded from eTunes or iTunes with profits going to the MCS.

For more useful advice and information on minimum landing sizes visit:

www.ssacn.org Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network - Give Fish A Chance (GFAC)

www.solwayfish.org.uk/downloads Solway Fish - Sea Angling Booklet

20-06-08

SeaWatch -Whale & Dolphin Watching

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.

Did you know?

• 24 of the 82 species of whale and dolphins have been recorded in Scotland in the last century. These include common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, harbour porpoises, Minke and Humpback whales.

• The Moray Firth has the world’s most northerly resident population of bottlenose dolphins.

• There are more sightings of basking sharks in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.

As there is a good chance that you will be lucky enough to see some of our fantastic marine wildlife, make sure that you know how to act responsibly and get the best out of your wildlife watching experience.

The Green Blue have made it easy and our ‘Into the Blue’ CD ROM, launched last year especially for recreational boaters, contains a short video (produced in association with Wildlife Safe,WiSe) explaining how to view and approach wildlife. Full of environmental top tips and advice it is free, so request your copy from The Green Blue now (Email info@thegreenblue.org.uk).

Our popular ‘How to Guide..coastal boating in Scotland’ also has some top tips on minimising your impact on wildlife whilst out on the water and is available free or to download. The Marine Wildlife Watching Code, produced by Scottish Natural Heritage, offers practical guidance on watching marine wildlife and keeping within the law to all coastal visitors (www.marinecode.org).

Getting Involved

Each year the Seawatch Foundation records sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the UK and uses this information to record a snapshot in distribution, and to monitor population trends and changes. This year they are organising a nine day survey from 21-29th June 2008 all around the British coastline, so why not join in and help record sightings. To find your nearest onshore viewing post visit www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk - there are many locations right around Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland and there are also some organised boat trips to record sightings too. Run by volunteers, these viewing posts offer a great way to learn about viewing and recording wildlife whilst making some great friends at the same time.

Alternatively you can download record forms and record your sightings whilst out sailing yourselves. So, please take this opportunity to record and send in your sightings to Seawatch, it will be greatly appreciated.

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

World's Ocean Day hosted by the Solway Firth Partnership

http://www.solwayfirthpartnership.org.uk/diary.asp

How to Guides

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.

Yachting Life feature Green Blue cartoons

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

Top Tips!

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.