Community knowledge and input is vital to sustainably managing Scotland’s marine areas 🌊 However, marine data can be difficult to navigate, so we have created guidance to help communities navigate publicly available information on their local Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features ⬇️

Take two minutes to write to your MSPs to call for action to give Scotland's seas the protections they deserve! Join our call for a public consultation within the first 100 days of the new parliament on finally implementing the protections our oceans need. Act now! scotlink.eaction.online/100days/

🌊 How can communities have more say in how their local marine areas are managed? 🌊 Community leadership in marine management can lead to long-term ecological outcomes, incorporation of local knowledge, and sustainable livelihoods. However, there are lots of barriers to community leadership. (1/3)

Nearly a decade since Scotland established the South Arran MPA and implemented fisheries management measures, seabed life has been recovering dramatically. It's great to see the successes of CCN members @arrancoast.bsky.social highlighted in this study 🐟 news.mongabay.com/short-articl...

Seabed life triples after bottom trawling ban in Scotland protected area

Nearly a decade since Scotland established the South Arran Marine Protected Area and banned bottom trawling across much of it, life on the seafloor has thrived, a new study has found. Scientists surve...

news.mongabay.com

Last weekend, CCN members and supporters met in Ardentinny for discussions, planning, and networking. Read all about our 2026 gathering here ⬇️ www.communitiesforseas.scot/ccn-gatherin...

CCN Gathering 2026 - CCN Scotland

communitiesforseas.scot

The countdown is ON! Last chance to apply to our Youth Ocean Action Fund to make your ocean action a reality 📣✊ All details on the grant, what we're looking for and how to apply via our website at: www.youthforseas.org/action-fund.

Join Sea Scotland 2026 as a conference sponsor! Your support is crucial to help us make it as engaging, diverse and inclusive as possible. Plus it's a great opportunity to showcase your work and contribution to the sector. 🪸 🌊 For more details, go to www.seascotland.scot 📆 27th October 2026

It's really great to see the contribution of citizen science efforts to data and policymaking - thanks @cathgem2000.bsky.social 🩵

Catherine Gemmell@cathgem2000.bsky.social · 4mo ago

It was great to share a Beachwatch update with the @communitiesforseas.bsky.social Marine Litter Group highlighting the new @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch Data Explorer: beachwatch-data-explorer.vercel.app/explore With an important reminder this only provides a snapshot of what litter is out there!

It was great to share a Beachwatch update with the @communitiesforseas.bsky.social Marine Litter Group highlighting the new @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch Data Explorer: beachwatch-data-explorer.vercel.app/explore With an important reminder this only provides a snapshot of what litter is out there!

One of our members is part of the Resilience of Anthropocene Coasts and Communities project, investigating some of the thousands of coastal landfill sites at risk of erosion and releasing of pollutants to the marine environment. Read all about it here: www.communitiesforseas.scot/historic-coa...

Researching historic coastal eroding landfill sites in Angus - CCN Scotland

East Haven Together is involved with the Resilience of Anthropocene Coasts and Communities (RAAC) project, a collaborative project between several universities, government agencies, and communities.

communitiesforseas.scot

We are really grateful to @inspiringscotland.bsky.social and Changing Ideas for supporting us to campaign for improved and accessible water quality information and pathways that enable communities to develop local solutions and hold polluters to account! 🌊

Inspiring Scotland@inspiringscotland.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Seven organisations have been selected to receive funding for campaigning projects aimed at improving the lives of people in Scotland. inspiringscotland.org.uk/news/scottis...

Today we raised our voices outside Scottish Parliament in one last push to ensure politicians stand up for Scotland's nature. The Natural Environment Bill could be a game-changer - introducing nature targets and Swift bricks. The final debate starts today, we hope to see major wins for wildlife.

Interested in the ocean but don't know where to start? 💭 🌊 Turning the Tide is our flagship training and skill development programme for young people to kickstart their journey in marine advocacy 🌊 Sign up: bit.ly/ttt26-intro and read more: youthforseas.org/turning-the-...

Are you an individual or a member of a group in Scotland with an interest in seagrass who could benefit from being part of the Collaborative? Get in touch with us to register to be involved: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Scottish Seagrass Collaborative Membership Form

The SSC is not a governing body. Instead, it is a collaborative network shaped by its members. Our shared mission is to connect people, share knowledge, and create opportunities for training, resource...

docs.google.com

Last month saw the launch of the Scottish Seagrass Collaborative! The aim of the Collaborative is to connect people, share knowledge, and create opportunities for training, resources, and joint action that strengthen seagrass conservation efforts across Scotland.

Recently, CCN members came together to explore how arts, culture and heritage relate to marine conservation, and how we can use them to engage new audiences and foster deeper connections with the marine environment 🐟🎨 Read all about it in our blog: www.communitiesforseas.scot/arts-mini-ga...

Arts, culture and heritage in marine conservation: CCN mini-gathering - CCN Scotland

communitiesforseas.scot

One in nine species in Scotland is at risk of extinction. We can change this. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The Natural Environment Bill is our chance to set binding targets to restore nature. Take 30 seconds to email your MSPs here: scotlink.eaction.online/targets #Scotland #NatureRestoration #NaturalEnvironmentBill

The #GreatGlobalNurdleHunt starts today! 🌎 This month thousands of #nurdlehunters will be collecting vital #plasticpellet pollution data & calling for change💪 Join in and be part of the solution 🔎 For more on how to take part & how to download our new app▶️ www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/take-part/th...

This week, the Scottish Government announced proposed management measures for Priority Marine Features not covered by the inshore MPA network, which will be taken to public consultation in November 🪸 Read out blog to find out what this means: www.communitiesforseas.scot/new-manageme...

New management measures for Priority Marine Features proposed - CCN Scotland

communitiesforseas.scot

Good news 🥳 Morocco is now the 60th nation to sign on to the High Seas Treaty. This means, for the first time, protections against harmful human activities can extend across international waters, safeguarding countless marine species. A huge win for marine life, ocean health, and future generations.

It's been a busy summer for CCN - read our newsletter to find out what we have been up to! www.communitiesforseas.scot/ccn-summer-n...

CCN Summer Newsletter 2025 - CCN Scotland

communitiesforseas.scot

I’m obsessed with snorkelling in Scotland: starfish below, sea eagles overhead – and it really isn’t that cold

I’m obsessed with snorkelling in Scotland: starfish below, sea eagles overhead – and it really isn’t that cold

Developing snorkelling trails is part of my job, but I never tire of the teeming underwater life and seeing some of the least crowded parts of Britain’s coast

theguardian.com

🔴 NEW: A ban on a Norwegian salmon farming company dumping toxic pesticides in a Highland loch following 273 environmental breaches over six months has been strongly defended by the Scottish Government’s green watchdog. Our latest: theferret.scot/salmo...

The next Scottish Government will bring us to 2030, the milestone year where Scotland has committed to halting biodiversity loss. This makes next year's elections a critical moment for Scotland's seas. Read CCN's priorities for the 2026 elections: www.communitiesforseas.scot/2026-electio...

CCN priorities for the 2026 Scottish elections - CCN Scotland

Community organisations from across Scotland’s coast have co-developed these priorities, drawing on their vast knowledge and experiences. These aim for an ecosystem based recovery of our marine and co...

communitiesforseas.scot

Scotland's first snorkel festival is happening in just a few weeks! From the 27th - 29th June, there will be loads going on along the Berwickshire coast, including kids pool sessions, guided sea sessions,, photography competitions, and interesting talks 🐳

"I just couldn't believe the regeneration that had happened and I was just swimming along with a demand valve in my mouth and a huge smile on my face. This is what it was all about" Great to see this coverage of seabed recovery off Arran 🐟@arrancoast.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Arran seabed restoration championed by Sir David Attenborough

As governments gather at the UN Oceans Conference, protections off Arran are hailed as an example in restoration.

bbc.co.uk

Our oceans are vital - for nature, climate, and people 🐟 This #WorldOceanDay, we would like to celebrate the communities across the coasts of Scotland who do incredible work to protect and restore our seas 🌊

🌊 Today is World Ocean Day 🤿 This short clip showcases just a tiny fraction of the incredible life we have in Scottish coastal waters. There is so much out there, and it is all worthy of our protection! #worldoceanday2025 #ocean #underwater #saltwaterlife #divediscoverdefend #scotland

Lots of community discussions & consultations about to start on #Arran @arrancoast.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social www.ardrossanherald.com/news/2520988...

Arran's COAST group lands £100k funding to help save marine life

Arran's COAST campaigners win £100k to expand community consultations in a crucial next step in restoring Scotland's sea life

ardrossanherald.com