INTRODUCTION

The latter months of 2022 held both opportunities and challenges for our marine environment. Despite the heart-breaking effects of avian flu on the Bass Rock – the world’s largest colony of Northern gannets, we were able to continue to support researchers studying these iconic seabirds, and to help implement a range of practical management and biosecurity activities on other islands in the Firth of Forth as the season progressed.

From a national to a global scale, conservation bodies undertook collaborative action around COP15 (Biodiversity) in Montreal and COP27 (Climate) in Sharm el-Sheikh in the hopes that these events would produce a significant catalyst for world-changing action.

We responded directly, and through Scottish Environment LINK, to the consultation on the draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045: tackling the nature emergency in Scotland. We are pleased to see commitments to effective protection of marine protected areas (MPAs) and to addressing, at scale, the threats to biodiversity.

As an environmental education charity, we are well positioned to support the strategy’s aim to initiate ”a programme of public engagement to increase understanding of the nature of the biodiversity crisis”, including the impact of consumption and production choices (Source: draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy). By delivering learning resources that are directly relevant to the Curriculum for Excellence, we will support increased understanding of ‘our relationship with nature and positive action to secure its sustainable use’.

As you will read from the following report, our conservation, education, community and experience programmes continue to deliver Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to this vision.

Our role is to inspire and educate people about the Scottish marine environment, to motivate them to care for it and support conservation efforts.

Our vision is to help ensure that Scotland’s marine environment is healthy, wildlife-rich, valued and enjoyed by all.

Our work to support our vision is structured around four key pillars –Conservation, Education, Community and Experience.

This report shares details of our achievements from August 2022 to February 2023.