10 Scotland-based marine organisations to check out (Part 1)
When we think of environmental organisations, big names like the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) often come to mind. While their work is undeniably important and impactful, there’s a wealth of smaller, local and regional organisations making an incredible difference for Scotland seas and coasts.
In this blog, we’re shining a spotlight on some of these dedicated groups and networks.
This list is by no means exhaustive as there are countless others doing amazing work—but here are ten standout organisations we think are worth knowing and supporting:
1. Coastal Communities Network
Who are they? The Coastal Communities Network (or CCN) is a coalition of 30 community-based groups & organisations committed to safeguarding Scotland’s coastal and marine environments. Its membership includes the likes of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), which successfully campaigned for Scotland’s first No-Take Zone in Lamlash Bay; the Community Association of Lochs & Sounds (CAOLAS), a charity based on the Morvern & Ardnamurchan peninsulas that manages the Lochaline Native Oyster Project; and the Berwickshire Marine Reserve, Scotland’s only Voluntary Marine Reserve, located between the towns of Eyemouth and St Abbs.
What they do: CCN provides a platform to connect & strengthen community-led efforts to protect, restore, and sustainably use coastal & marine resources. Their members collaborate to tackle a range of issue from open-net salmon farming to marine plastic pollution.
Website: www.communitiesforseas.scot
Follow them: Bluesky @communitiesforseas
2. Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust
Who are they? Based on the picturesque Isle of Mull, the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins, and porpoises along Scotland’s stunning west coast. They operate a discovery centre in Tobermory, offering visitors an insight into the incredible marine life of the region.
What they do: HWDT relies on citizen science, gathering data from local boat tour operators, fishermen, and the public to build a clearer picture of cetaceans in the Hebridean Seas. In 2002, the Trust acquired a dedicated research vessel, the Silurian, which offer an unrivalled expedition experience where you learn how to identify marine wildlife and be trained in how to collect data. The vessel also acts as a floating classroom, welcoming schoolchildren aboard to get hands-on with marine research.
Website: www.hwdt.org
Follow them: Instagram @hwdt_org
3. Fidra
Who are they? Fidra is an environmental charity, named after Fidra Island, a wildlife haven off the East Coast. The organisation focuses on reducing plastic waste and chemical pollution in our seas, on our beaches, and in the wider environment.
What they do: Fidra initially focused on plastic pollution, launching the Great Nurdle Hunt in 2013. Since then, they have broadened their scope to tackle a wider range of environmental threats, including pollution and habitat degradation. Their projects include research on PFAS (the so-called ‘forever chemicals’), addressing microplastic contamination from artificial football pitches, and protecting Scotland’s soils from the harmful effects of contaminated sewage sludge.
Website: www.fidra.org.uk
Follow them: Instagram @fidra_ngo
4. Open Seas
Who are they? The Open Seas Trust is a small charity campaigning to improve the sustainability of Scottish seafood and recovering the health of our marine environment.
What they do: Open Seas employs data-driven research and investigations to identify fishing practices that harm marine life and present opportunities for solutions to policymakers. They also call out misinformation and green-washing in the seafood supply chain. In addition to their research and advocacy, Open Seas recently engaged in a successful legal action against the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate regarding their licensing for damaging scallop dredging, which failed to consider impacts on the marine environment.
Website: www.openseas.org.uk
Follow them: Bluesky @open-seas, Instagram @openseas_crew
5. Our Seas Coalition
Who are they? The Our Seas Coalition is an alliance of Scottish organisations, businesses, communities and individuals that support a move to sustainable use of Scotland’s inshore marine environment.
What they do: Members of the Our Sea Coalition are calling for urgent change in the way Scottish inshore waters are managed. They advocate for the reinstatement of a modern equivalent to the three-mile limit on scallop dredging and bottom trawling, two damaging fishing practices which have caused a significant loss of marine biodiversity and decline in fish stock.
Website: www.ourseas.scot
Follow them: Bluesky @ourseas-scot, Instagram @ourseas_scot