Marine and coastal

Scotland’s seas cover six times more area than our land and are home to many irreplaceable species and habitats. Our seabeds and marine ecologies store as much carbon annually as our forests.

Turning the tide: marine and coastal policy (edited excerpt)

The sea has always been of crucial importance to Scotland – from the earliest Mesolithic settlers who gathered shellfish around its coasts, to the oil and renewables industries of the 20th and 21st centuries and marine tourism which is now the largest marine sector employer. Some 90% of Scotland’s territory is sea, and around 70% of the UK continental shelf is Scottish. In 2016 the Scottish marine economy generated £3.8 billion GVA (gross value added), accounting for 2.9 % of the overall Scottish economy.

The National Trust for Scotland owns some of the most spectacular coastline in Scotland. In some cases, this extends down to the low tide level. Together, these are home to about 20% of all of the seabirds breeding in Scotland and nearly 10% of the seabirds in the European Union. These include St Kilda, the UK’s only marine World Heritage Site, where nests a quarter of the world’s population of gannets. In addition to the scenic and wildlife resources on the coasts, the seas beyond the tideline are outstandingly rich. Four of Scotland’s handful of marine Special Areas of Conservation, and nine of the suite of Marine Protected Areas, are immediately adjacent to Trust properties. St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve is the site of Scotland’s only Voluntary Marine Reserve, declared because of its important reef communities and its stunning underwater topography.

The position of the Trust

We believe that the marine environment, and the organisms that depend on it, are a vital component of Scotland’s natural heritage. Our coastal landscapes are outstandingly spectacular, nationally and internationally, and play a pivotal role in people’s enjoyment. We will strive to ensure that the marine and coastal habitats and landscapes, existing on and adjacent to our properties, are conserved and managed to the highest standards. We will use our influence, both as a major stakeholder in coastal communities and in national policy debates, to champion the cause of marine conservation and secure change to improve the conservation status of all of Scotland’s seas.

Challenges

There are many challenges associated with the use of the marine environment. Some can be overcome by effective regulation and operating methods but others such as climate change require more holistic and global solutions.

Challenges include: climate change, fishing, fish farming, fossil fuel extraction, seaweed harvesting , pollution, and plastics litter. [For a breakdown and full details of each of these challenges, please see the report.]

Opportunities and benefits

These challenges need to be met, and through management, mitigation, or elimination can be overcome, providing opportunities for public and community benefit. Opportunity exists through:

Blue carbon – Living organisms in the sea, both attached to the seabed and in the water column, which constitute a major store of organic carbon that helps to mitigate climate change.

Pollution – Public awareness and political engagement is driving innovation and action to help map, reduce and remove marine litter. Opportunity exists to improve implementation of Scotland’s Marine Litter Strategy.

Sustainable commercial fishing – Well-managed fisheries provide both food supplies and an income for coastal communities.

Recreational angling – Can provide substantial economic input to communities, as well as enjoyment for the participants. However, it depends on the presence of a surplus of large mature fish available to catch.

Recreational access – The visitor economy is a major driver of Scotland’s rural areas, and the coastal zone attracts disproportional interest on account of its landscape value, visitor services and specialist activities. Opportunities exist to inform and engage the public in the issues and wonder of the marine environment.

Marine Protected Areas – Protected areas provide the cornerstone of any effective conservation strategy. As well as providing a magnet for tourism they are nursery areas for commercial fish species that allow the repopulation of neighbouring fisheries.

Coastal communities – People living in coastal areas benefit from marine resources, and have both a personal interest in and strong feelings for their conservation. As a major coastal landowner, the Trust is deeply involved in these communities and can help to give voice to their concerns.