Project duration: November 2023 – November 2024

Background

“In many respects the health of Scotland’s marine environment is still deteriorating”  – Open Seas, 2021

Humans are over-exploiting marine resources, and polluting the sea through waste disposal and marine litter.

Restoring key species such as oysters and seagrass tackles this deterioration head on, bringing a multitude of environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and habitat creation.

Introduction to Project

The Community Association of Lochs and Sounds (CAOLAS) are a local charity based on the Morvern & Ardnamurchan peninsulas – the most westerly area of mainland Britain. Focused on marine conservation and biodiversity restoration, they have been running a Native Oyster project since 2021 (funded by HIEF here).

In order to expand restoration efforts, a detailed understanding of current biodiversity and environmental conditions was required. We awarded a £15,000 grant (other funding came from SMEEF) towards achieving this through a Baseline Survey, which aimed to identify optimal sites for restoration.

Project Activities

Desk-based research and site selection

Initial desk-based study work utilised existing public data repositories and published literature on the Sound of Mull’s marine environment. Combining records of known species and habitats with an understanding of local environmental conditions and anthropogenic activities resulted in five sites being selected along the Morvern coast for detailed surveys.

Field Surveys

At each of the five sites, a variety of different surveying techniques were used. Detailed habitat and species recording took place in the intertidal zone through quadrat survey, while seagrass beds were mapped using a drone and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Water quality was assessed using water sampling methodologies, and marine litter was also recorded through the Marine Conservation Society database. Analysis of data took place, and was compiled and communication in the form of a detailed report (see more below).

Collaboration and Partnerships

The project outcomes and lessons learned are being shared with other marine community groups to guide similar work in other areas. Findings will form a key part of education and outreach activities with local schoolchildren and the public, as well as being shared with local community councils and engaged politicians. Results are also informing the development of the Morvern Local Place Plan, ensuring that future planning decisions take the marine environment into account.

 

Outcomes

The final report considers habit and species diversity, environmental conditions, and anthropogenic pressures at each individual site. From this, areas more or less suitable for seagrass and oyster restoration are identified, and recommendations made for further research.

The identification of Prioirty Marine Features (PMF’s) such as flapper skates (a carcass washed up at one site) underlines the ecological significance of the area, which can then be expressed through Local Place Plan or potential protective designations.