Marine Biodiversity
Scotland’s coasts and seas are amongst the most diverse in the world and support about half of our biodiversity, much of which is of national and international importance.
SWT contributes to this richness by managing 23 coastal and island reserves including reserves such as Linga Holm, Handa Island, Loch Fleet, Montrose Basin, Isle of Eigg and Spey Bay.
Scotland boasts:
- Colonies of over five million breeding seabirds, nearly half of all the seabirds in the EU
- 77% of EU grey seal population
- 28 species of whales and dolphins
- Most sightings of basking shark, the world’s second largest fish
- Most of the UK’s maerl beds, horse mussel reefs, flameshell reefs, sea fan communities and cold water coral communities
This biodiversity is the "engine house" for Scotland’s economy and many livelihoods depend on it.
- £14 billion of Scotland’s economy comes from estuaries and territorial waters
- The seas act as a giant "carbon sponge" for carbon dioxide
- 60% of UK fishing comes from Scottish waters (in 2006 = £370 million)
- 90% of UK farmed fish comes from Scottish waters (£300 million)
- Marine tourism provides 2,500 jobs and £57 million to Scotland’s economy
Unfortunately much of this biodiversity is in decline including common skate, flameshell reefs, maerl beds and seagrass beds. Coldwater corals are being permanently damaged and seabird colonies like those on SWT's Handa Island and Isle of Eigg reserves are failing due to a shortage of food. Fourteen out of 21 Scottish fish stocks are fished beyond sustainable limits. A recent study showed that Scotland’s seabed habitats are amongst the most damaged in the world.
Through its Scottish Marine Bill campaign, SWT is pressing for a review of the Scottish Biodiversity list to identify species that would benefit from legal protection and an extension of the Wildlife and Countryside Act to 200 nautical miles (nm) offshore.
As a member of the Marine Biodiversity Working Group, SWT is involved in reviewing the Scottish Marine Biodiversity Implementation Plan.