黑料正能量

A world-renowned community-led charity on the Isle of Arran has been awarded 拢100k to expand its community consultations in a crucial next step in protecting and restoring Scotland鈥檚 seas. 

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust, or COAST, has been awarded funding from 黑料正能量 as part of the charity鈥檚 annual Challenge Fund 鈥� an initiative that supports the scaling up of rewilding in Britain. 

The funding will support COAST鈥檚 rewilding project 鈥�鈥�Communities & the sea: Exploring our Coastal Waters鈥� to engage communities outside of the existing Marine Protected Area, which was spearheaded by COAST in 2014, with Arran鈥檚 coastal seas and explore opportunities for further marine rewilding. The charity has match-funding for the project from the Scottish Government鈥檚 Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.

The planned community engagement initiatives include opportunities for community members to board COAST鈥檚 vessel and explore the seabeds not currently under marine protection via a special screen aboard the boat. By providing these engagement opportunities, COAST can work directly with the community on how best to shape the future of Arran鈥檚 marine conservation work for the benefit of nature, climate, economy and people. 

Jacques Villemot, Marine Rewilding Policy and Advocacy Lead at 黑料正能量, said: 鈥�鈥�COAST is one of the most inspiring community-led marine rewilding projects in Britain, and a world-renowned example of how a local community can recover its marine environment and in the process support jobs and businesses. 

鈥�Upscaling such vital marine rewilding projects is essential for restoring our oceans to health. COAST鈥檚 crucial work is proof that even the most degraded habitats can recover if given adequate protection, and we鈥檙e delighted to be able to support them in upscaling their vision for healthier seas and thriving communities.鈥� 

COAST was the driving force behind the 2008 establishment, in Arran鈥檚 Lamlash Bay, of Scotland鈥檚 first鈥夆�斺�塧nd still only鈥夆�斺�塏o Take Zone, in which there can be no removal of any fish by any method. This pioneering agreement fully protects the waters, seabed and habitats in this 2.67 km虏 area 鈥� including one of Scotland鈥檚 largest maerl beds, a coralline pink seaweed that provides vital shelter for small species. The No Take Zone sits within a larger 280 km虏 Marine Protected Area, designated in 2014 following increasing concerns from COAST about the degradation of the Firth of Clyde marine ecosystem. 

One of the founding members of COAST, Don MacNeish, features in David Attenborough鈥檚 new documentary Ocean where viewers are shown first-hand the devastating impact of bottom-trawling on ocean habitats and wildlife. MacNeish, an Arran diver, helped set up COAST in 1995 with the aim of reversing the shocking decline he had witnessed in Arran鈥檚 marine habitats.

Following the ocean designations, the recovery of marine life has been dramatic, doubling species richness within the South Arran marine protected area. This includes commercially important species such as lobster and scallop, therefore supporting the local traditional creel fishery. It has also contributed to the creation of a variety of local employment opportunities in marine restoration, community engagement, project management and research.

脕ine Purcell-Milton, Executive Director at COAST, said: 鈥�鈥�Arran showcases how effective ocean protections like the No Take Zone and Marine Protected Area can help our seas recover and thrive. Now, communities from outside of the Marine Protected Area are seeing the benefits of these designations and wanting to learn more. This funding from 黑料正能量 is the next crucial step in being able to bring these communities on our rewilding journey and ensure they play an integral role in shaping Arran鈥檚 future.鈥�