Organisations Operating in Marine areas
Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife. MCS has worked for over 20 years to highlight threats to both marine wildlife and the wider marine environment. Campaigns and projects focus on pollution prevention including Beachwatch and the Good Beach Guide; species protection including Basking Shark Watch and Adopt-a-Turtle; sustainable fisheries with the recent publication of the Good Fish Guide; and coral reef protection. Many MCS projects involve divers and the general public in volunteer surveys and educational initiatives to protect our seas and marine life. Local divers have carried out underwater clean ups in some years. Many local divers have expressed an interest in Seasearch, and there have been local training days by the Marine Conservation Society on Seasearch and underwater identification skills.
Seasearch is a volunteer underwater survey project for recreational divers in the UK to record observations of marine habitats and the life they support. The information gathered is used to increase our knowledge of the marine environment and contribute towards its conservation. Divers can participate in three different levels of recording depending on their knowledge and experience. Seasearch courses are being developed to provide training in marine habitat and species identification and survey methods. Seasearch is co-ordinated nationally by a Steering Group led by the Marine Conservation Society. The Seasearch website contains more information about the programme, including dates of courses and events.
The Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) is a Scottish charity committed to promoting, delivering and supporting high-quality independent research and education in marine science. As the owner and operator of the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory - three miles North of Oban - SAMS is an internationally renowned marine research establishment. SAMS focuses much of its research activities on multidisciplinary research questions from Scottish coastal waters to the Arctic Ocean.
Sea Watch Foundation is a national charity, dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins & porpoises in British & Irish waters. Sea Watch, through its continuous programme of research and monitoring, mostly by volunteers provides invaluable information on changes to the status and distribution of cetacean populations and the condition of their habitats. This is used to raise awareness of any issues and prompt environmental change to help conserve & protect these mysterious creatures. It works tirelessly with environmental and government bodies to provide information, data and evidence leading to the better protection and conservation of cetacean populations in British and Irish waters.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) is the global charity dedicated to the protection of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and their environment. Our work covers a range of political campaigning and lobbying, active conservation projects and world-class science, research and education initiatives.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the competent UK authority responsible for responding to pollution from shipping and offshore installations. The MCA is regularly called upon to respond to a wide range of maritime incidents and has developed a comprehensive response procedure to deal with any emergency at sea that causes pollution, or threatens to cause pollution. The “National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations” (NCP) was published in January 2000 and sets out revised command and control procedures for incident response following Lord Donaldson’s Review of Salvage and Intervention and their Command and Control.
The Coastguard Agency’s Marine Pollution Control Unit (MPCU) provides a command and control structure for decision making and response following a shipping incident that causes, or threatens to cause, pollution in UK waters. The MPCU was restructured in 1998 to become the Counter Pollution and Response (CPR) Branch of the MCA.
MCA’s CPR is now based on a regional response with central operational, technical and scientific support. A Counter Pollution & Salvage Officer (CPSO) is based in each region, supported by scientists, a mariner, a cost recovery specialist and logistics support specialists in the MCA’s headquarters in Southampton
The Crown Estate owns the majority of the sea bed and approximately 50% of the foreshore in Scotland. Leases or licences are granted for works and activities in these areas predominately to local authorities, ports and harbours, conservation bodies and statutory bodies such as Scottish Natural Heritage. Approximately 570 kilometres (21%) of seabed are leased specifically for conservation purposes, where no development is permitted, and it is intended to extend this in consultation with SNH. A great deal more of the coastline is under protective ownership by way of leases to local authorities.
To optimise the responsible use of marine resources, the Crown Estate participates in relevant research projects such as a joint study with DEFRA to look into the cumulative impact of dredging on the seabed, and research through the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) and the Marine Climate Change programme. As a landowner, the Crown Estate seeks to maintain the highest standards by ensuring the correct management of these important areas and that, where development is proposed, this is carried out in the most responsible manner with the necessary consents.
The Moray Firth Partnership was launched in August 1996. It is a voluntary organisation made up of partners from industry, local authorities, conservation bodies, recreational users, and local residents, all with an interest in the future well-being of the Moray Firth. The Partnership focuses on the coast and sea from Duncansby Head in Caithness to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire. Itsaim is to help people find ways of working together to safeguard the Moray Firth’s natural, economic and social resources, now and for future generations. Of particular interest to this LBAP is the Fisheries Action Group.
East Grampian Coastal Partnership Established in 2005 EGCP aims to aid in the delivery of Intergraded Coastal Zone Management between Kinnaird Head Fraserburgh and the mouth of the River North Esk. Ongoing work has included the Making the Most of the Coast theme and an investigation into the role of Marine Spatial Planning.
Fisheries Research Services (FRS) performs regulatory and statutory functions as required by SEERAD (Environment Directorate?) and other government customers as well as advising on the sustainable use of living aquatic resources and protection of the aquatic environment. FRS run monitoring programs on the state of living aquatic resources and the aquatic environment.
Inshore fisheries in Scotland are regulated principally through the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984 which provides for Ministers to regulate fishing for sea fish in inshore waters, by way of prohibiting combinations of the following: all fishing for sea fish; fishing for a specified description of sea fish; fishing by a specified method; fishing from a specified description of fishing boat; fishing from or by means of any vehicle, or any vehicle of a specific description; and fishing by means of a specified description of equipment. Ministers may also specify the period during which prohibitions apply, and any exceptions to any prohibition. A number of Orders have been made under this Act since1984, introducing local and national measures for a range of fishery management purposes.
Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGS) have been proposed for the whole of Scotland, to whom will be delegated responsibility for fisheries management. A IFG for the Moray Firth, would provide a mechanism for fisheries management to interact with other coastal initiatives.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the public body charged with protecting Scotland’s environment by regulating discharges to air, land and controlled waters (lochs, rivers, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters to three miles out to sea). SEPA aims to provide an efficient and integrated environment protection system for Scotland that will improve the environment and contribute to the Scottish Executive’s goal of sustainable development. SEPA performs regulatory, statutory and advisory functions. It monitors coastal waters in relation to statutory requirements, impact assessment and general water quality. Data are used to provide annual classifications of controlled waters.
SEPA is also the lead body for implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Scotland.
Scottish Natural Heritage, the statutory body for SSSIs and European designations, manages the reserves at Forvie and St. Cyrus, and leases part of the foreshore from the Crown Estate at Ythan Estuary. SNH is also responsible for the management and monitoring of the Moray Firth SAC.
Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 SNH have the responsibility of developing a code of conduct to protect marine species from the adverse effects of marine recreational users.
The WiSe (WIldlife SafE) scheme has already trained and accredited over 150 individuals working aboard registered passenger and charter vessels for marine wildlife watching in England and Wales, and will soon be moving on to Northern Ireland. The scheme has been backed by environmental organisations in England and Wales including The Wildlife Trusts, Marine Conservation Society, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and RSPB, and has been co – funded by WWF UK.
Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (CRRU) Formed in 1997, the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (CRRU) is a small, non-profit research organisation based in NE Scotland. Located in the beautiful heritage fishing village of Gardenstown (right), near Banff, on the southern coastline of the outer Moray Firth, the group is dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Scottish waters through scientific investigation, environmental education, and the provision of professional, veterinary assistance to sick, stranded and injured individuals.
Friends of Moray Firth Dolphins
Formed in 1991, The Friends of the Moray Firth Dolphins have grown from a small number of individuals who set up the group to provide opportunities for watching and learning more about the dolphins into today's still-growing membership of around 250. Seven years on the group now have their own research boat, 'Delphis', and a keen committee whose enthusiasm for dolphins has seen them evolve into the most organised voluntary group of cetacean watchers in the Moray Firth.
We gather data from our membership around the Firth, which is then passed on to Aberdeen University; Sea Watch, WDCS, the marine connection, and the CRRU cetacean research and rescue unit. Other organisations such as the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and International Dolphin Watch also utilise the data
Maritime Rescue Institute (MRI) is a Scottish Charity based in Stonehaven. MRI are providers of training programmes and advisory services on all forms of waterborne emergency response to organisations and governments around the world. MRI also provide 24 hour waterborne search and rescue response for the Kincardineshire coast and up to 50 nautical miles offshore.
Keep Scotland Beautiful have been operating for 40 years to improve the quality of Scotland’s environment. They operate and help co-ordinate a number of coastal campaigns including Seaside Awards, Blue Flag and Clean Coast Scotland.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds The RSPB is the largest conservation organisation in Europe with over 1 million members. In the north east of Scotland they have 3 coastal reserves including the seabird colonies at Troup head and Fowlsheugh and the Loch of Strathbeg. RSPB is involved in campaigning work including calls for a Scottish marine bill.
Scottish Wildlife Trust is a conservation organisation who works towards protecting Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment contribute to legislation and guidelines on crucial issues through knowledge and on-going conservation work as well as a number of campaigns including a marine Act for Scotland, Marine Protected Areas and raising awareness of Scotland’s marine biodiversity.
Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network was established to lead a unified, coordinated and comprehensive approach to international, national and local conservation issues which may affect recreational sea angling in Scotland.
They work with other conservation groups and the Marine Directorate to gather information and develop programmes to further the understanding of the marine environment and the species of fish of interest to sea anglers.
SSACN seeks to ensure that recreational sea anglers can effectively enjoy their sport within fisheries managed for the benefit of all and not just for a select few.
Harbour Boards;
Aberdeen Harbour is a world class port annually handling around 5 million tonnes of cargo, valued at approximately £1.5 billion, for a wide range of industries. It has statutory powers over the marine areas out to 2 nm from the facility which includes a SAC for Salmon and Otter. In October 2003, Aberdeen Harbour Board became the first port in Scotland, and only the fourth in Europe, to receive the ECOPORTS Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certificate.
Peterhead Port Authority came into being on the 1st January 2006 with the merger of Peterhead Bay Authority and Peterhead Harbour Trustees. The new organisation is responsible for the management, operation and development of the Port of Peterhead. The port comprises two areas - Peterhead Bay Harbour and the Harbours of Peterhead.
Fraserburgh Harbour is one of the major fish landing ports in Europe and has harbour trust rights to agree and enforce bylaws within its designated area.