Scotland’s “protected” seas lack protection.
Our evidence shows damaging activity is still happening in many Marine Protected Areas.
If we don’t act now, we risk losing vital habitats for good.
🎥 Watch to find out more
The image shows a newspaper article from The Orcadian titled "Failed to turn on monitoring system." It is from Kirkwall Sheriff Court, dated Thursday, April 16, 2020. The article describes a fisherman's admission of breaking regulations by not turning on a monitoring system on a scallop dredger. It mentions Procurator Fiscal Grant McLennan and Sheriff Robert McDonald, along with the implementation of REM systems.
📢 🆕 BREAKING NEWS from #TheOrcadian
We welcome Scottish Government's action on vessels failing monitoring rules in key fisheries.
Some of these habitats can take years to recover - we need penalties that match environmental damage and deter repeat offences.
🚨 Governments, including the in UK, continue to treat scientific advice about sustainable catch limits as an optional extra.
⏳ It's time to stop haggling with nature and put recovery at the top of the agenda. After all, abundant seas are the key to prosperous fisheries.
Two puffins on a grassy hill, one with its beak open. The sky is overcast. Text above them reads "Puffin Facts."
✨ Happy #WorldPuffinDay!
Did you know that:
🐣 Baby puffins are called pufflings?
🧡 They dress to impress during the breeding season? They develop brightly-coloured bills, orange legs and very distinctive red and black eye markings.
It's time to look deeper into the impacts of bottom trawling.
It damages ecosystems, displaces small-scale fishers & diverts food from local communities.
Time to rethink who benefits.
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/contrary-to-industr...
Do you care about Scotland’s seas? 🌊
With the election coming up, this is your chance to be heard.
Download our Advocacy Toolkit to find out more on how you can take action:
https://bit.ly/advocacy-toolkit-bl
#ScottishElections #OceanProtection #ScotlandsSeas
🌊 Marine Protected Areas can help seas recover, but only with proper management.
Bally, a creel fisherman, shares the environmental & economic benefits of keeping protections in place. ⬇️
www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/marine-protections-...
Open Seas is 10 years-old this year.
We were founded to expose the damage happening beneath the surface of Scotland’s sea, including in protected areas.
Our seas belong to everyone. Let’s manage them that way. 🌊
#OpenSeas #OceanJustice #MarineProtection
Good news from Sussex! 🌊
After a bottom trawling ban, fish are returning and seabeds recovering, proof the ocean can bounce back when protected.
Scotland’s seas deserve the same treatment.
www.theargus.co.uk/news/25947801.fish-retur...
We’re pleased to be invited to Scotland’s flagship National Food Debate ahead of the 2026 elections.
Join the conversation on food policy, public health & farming and grab your ticket via the link below 👇
🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/scottishfoodcoali... @foodcoalition.scot
A fishing boat on the sea with seagulls flying around it. Caption reads, "Scottish ministers face legal action over fishing licenses." The Herald logo is at the top.
Scottish ministers are still failing to meet legal duties on fishing impacts.
Today's Herald's front page shows licensing decisions falling short of the National Marine Plan, risking marine habitats & coastal livelihoods.
The framework exists. It must be followed.
https://bit.ly/4bPfctY #Marine
How can you be an #OceanCitizen during an election campaign?
Our Public Affairs Manager Rea shares how to engage candidates, use hustings & make your voice count. Democracy should be a two-way street. 🌊
#ScotElections
ouroceanpodcast.alitu.com/episode/785a2978-ad4a-4f...
We went to the @snp.org conference to talk to MSPs and new candidates about marine policy 🌊
Thank you to @johnswinney.bsky.social, @kateforbes.bsky.social and @jimfairliesnp.bsky.social for talking with us about how we can protect our inshore waters.
#MarineConservation #ScottishElection2026
Newspaper clipping of the 'cable lie' article talking about the environmental damage of putting down a new cable in the sea near Isle of Skye
Remember Private Eye's coverage of our survey into Ardmore Bay?
Well, the community is still fighting to save the local #Maerl Bed - you can sign their petition here 👇
✍️ you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/te...
#isleofskye #marineconservation #climatechange
📽️ We’re still touring The Orkney Dive for our #DivedNotDredged campaign – recently in #Arran with the Community of Arran Seabed Trust to talk sustainable seafood & marine protection. Big thanks to MARA Fish Bar & Deli and everyone who joined the conversation.
Arran, we’ll be back! 🐟🌊
If you don't laugh, you'll cry 🥲 #DivedNotDredged
📢 #Highlands & #Skye join us on 12 March from 5.30pm for the #DIVEDNOTDREDGED Movie & Seafood Experience.
Featuring The Orkney Dive, a short film on scallop diving in Orkney & beyond, alongside discussion, drinks, light bites & the Coastal Testimonies exhibition
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/divednotdr...
The peace and quiet of life on an untouched maerl bed 🌊
#DYK maerl beds grow incredibly slowly, often just 0.5 to 1mm every year 😲
📸: Images freely available on Open Planet
🙌 Some good marine conservation news this Saturday!
All large pelagic fishing vessels in Scotland will be required to have cameras, sensors and GPS on board to record their catches 🎣
Do you think other UK governments should follow suit?
#MarineConservation #Scotland #PelagicFishing
A small fishing boat floats on a vast ocean with numerous seagulls flying above. The sky is overcast, and the distant background shows a faint outline of hills or mountains.
📣 Have your say on Scotland’s demersal fisheries. The Scottish Government is consulting on new plans, but current drafts risk business as usual. Push for world-class, sustainable management.
⏰ Closes 11 March consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/fisherie...
Thursday 12th March, from 5.30pm @Skye Bridge Studios 123 A sustainable seafood experience #DivedNotDredged "The Orkney Dive" movie screening starts at 7pm Welcome drinks, buffet and exhibition from 5.30pm
📢 #Highlands & #Skye join us on 12 March from 5.30pm for the #DIVEDNOTDREDGED Movie & Seafood Experience.
Featuring The Orkney Dive, a short film on scallop diving in Orkney & beyond, alongside discussion, drinks, light bites & the Coastal Testimonies exhibition
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/divednotdr...
Some brilliant news from Loch Carron today! The flame shell reef, badly damaged by scallop dredgers, is recovering!
This shows what happens when you introduce real protections, to let nature recover.
www.thenational.scot/news/2589373...
A significant, welcome sourcing decision from Waitrose - will others follow suit?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The panel lined up at a table (Reform, Greens, Cons, Lab, SNP) with banners behind them. They are taking questions from the audience.
Last night we joined the Climate & Nature Hustings to hear from parties ahead of the election.
We need:
🐟 At least 30% of inshore waters protected from bottom-trawling & dredging.
👨👩👧👦 Quota allocation that benefits communities.
⚓ Full vessel monitoring to end illegal fishing.
🌊 A new Marine Minister.
Let’s make sustainably produced food a defining issue at this year’s election! Join us and @foodcoalition.scot for Scotland’s flagship National Food Debate and hear directly from political parties on how they plan to deliver meaningful change to our food system. Sign up here ➡️ bit.ly/49E4CWI
A shot of the article in question
Lovely to see our work turn up in Private Eye! It was a pleasure to help the community in Ardmore prove they were not imagining the presence of Maerl beds in the area...
A shot of the article in question
Lovely to see our work turn up in Private Eye! It was a pleasure to help the community in Ardmore prove they were not imagining the presence of Maerl beds in the area...
Join us for an online free workshop with Open Seas and NESCAN Hub.
Thu, 26 Feb 2026
12 PM - 1 PM | Online
Know more, and sign up on Eventbrite
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-seas-...
📣 “Ecocide is a crime against the common good." - Doug Allan on BBC Radio Scotland
The Ecocide Bill passing Stage 1 is an important step in recognising large-scale environmental damage as a serious crime but the damage to Scotland’s seas is already happening.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
