30 new Marine Protected Areas for Scotland

30 new Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for Scotland were announced in July to help protect rare and threatened species such as common skate, ocean quahog, and black guillemot.

Amongst the new areas is the north east Faroe Shetland channel which is thought to be the largest MPA in Europe. It has been designated in order to conserve deep sea sponges, muds, and geological features.

The 30 new sites double the size of Scotland’s MPA network. Some of the habitats now protected include cliffs, deep ocean seabed, sand eel colonies, and cold-water reefs which are home to marine fauna such as feather stars. Scottish Natural Heritage have recommended an extra 4 areas to be considered which will help protect some important species missing from the current designations; minke whale, Risso’s dolphin, and basking sharks.

Alongside the new MPAs Scottish ministers have announced plans for 14 special protection areas for seabirds after RSPB Scotland pressured them to increase protection for threatened birds such as Arctic skua, Arctic terns, and Kittiwakes. These birds are not currently protected under the MPAs.

So far the Scottish ministers have listened to the marine scientists’ advice but the work isn’t over yet, careful management of these areas is needed to ensure they are successful in recovering Scottish marine diversity.

Source: Guardian online July 2014