Webinar: Discovering the depths of marine protection

In this webinar, we welcomed the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) to discuss their latest research on Arran’s No Take Zone and Marine Protected Area.

COAST is a community-led and community-organised initiative, protecting and restoring the marine environment around Arran and the Clyde in Scotland. Their pioneering work to establish Scotland’s first No Take Zone provides a unique opportunity to understand how British marine habitats recover when no fishing or extraction of any sort is permitted.

Using funding from Rewilding Britain’s Rewilding Innovation Fund, COAST has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of all the monitoring data collected in the No Take Zone and Marine Protected Area around the island of Arran. 

Discovering the depth: COAST’s research results and research strategy

Speakers

Áine Purcell-Milton, Executive Director, COAST

Lucy Kay, Project Officer, COAST

During this talk, COAST shares the findings of their research to date, including a threefold increase in scallop density in the project area. They explain how they collect data and monitor changes across the seabed, what’s been observed and what these observations might mean, and how the community’s relationship with the sea is changing as a result of the project.

COAST’s impacts go far beyond the local community and their research can help all of us understand what nature restoration projects can achieve in British waters and the strength of community-organised initiatives.

The Rewilding Network facilitates knowledge exchange and experiences to catalyse practical rewilding across Britain. We host a range of events and webinars, like this one, focused on key topics as well as highlighting experiences from Network projects.

To gain access to future events, check if you’re eligible to become a member of the Rewilding Network. Membership is free.