News
New protection measures announced for Scotland’s Loch Carron
The Scottish Government have announced a new Marine Protected Area at Loch Carron in the North West of Scotland. The announcement comes as a response to news in April that the rich seabed there had been damaged by scallop dredging.
Loch Carron is famed for its rich marine wildlife, such as flameshell, maerl and horsemussel beds. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) put part of the loch forward as needing protection in 2013, along with other sites, but it was not taken forward at the time. However, with a policy requirement in Scotland’s National Marine Plan, places with such delicate natural features as these merit protection from potentially harmful activity, whether in designated sites or not.
The Marine Conservation Society was distraught to hear of the destruction caused by scallop dredging to flameshell beds in outer Loch Carron in late April.
Calum Duncan, MCS Head of Conservation Scotland says “Whilst this loophole of inshore fisheries management led to damage, we are hopeful that there is sufficient healthy reef left to return Loch Carron to its natural state, given time.
“The decision shows how crucial the efforts of dedicated divers rapidly recording video footage and submitting Seasearch records shortly after the event were. It is therefore good to see the rapid response from Scottish Natural Heritage and Marine Scotland Science to the harm done to Loch Carron, corroborating the citizen science evidence.”
A queen scallop on a maerl bed – Loch Carron – Photo: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
The Marine Conservation Society has long been calling for effective management of inshore fisheries, and particularly scallop dredging, in Scottish waters. It says that it is now imperative that flameshell beds and other priority features that don’t fall within designated sites are also identified and protected, welcoming the Scottish Government announcement to immediately begin work to identify such other areas for protection.
Calum Duncan continues: “We have many records of fragile wildlife features such as flameshell, maerl, seagrass and horsemussel beds throughout Scotland gathered through our extensive Seasearch project. They are worthy of protection from scallop dredging and other damaging activities but are not currently in designated protected areas.
“Commitments to the promised Inshore Fisheries Bill must be upheld to deliver effective, progressive spatial fisheries management to not only protect vulnerable features and critical nursery habitats but to address gear conflict. Scallop dredging in particular has the potential to be devastating so close to the shore and in such shallow waters as demonstrated by this incident.”
“Scotland’s National Marine Plan requires that fishing and any other activity should not significantly impact the national status of these or any other Priority Marine Feature.”
Find out more about the work of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) here.
Divers are invited to join the Seasearch project to help protect the marine environment around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Find out more here.
Shells of the World: A Natural History by M.G. Harasewych
Shells of the world is a guide to the world of marine, shelled molluscs. And what a varied and interesting world it is. Some of my favourite things to find on a dive are detailed in this book, including disco clams (or Electric File Clams as they are correctly names), the cephalopods, giant clams and sea hares. There are also many on my wish list, top of which is the Nautilus.
Each chapter provides a detailed description of the species, along with beautiful images. You can dive deeper and discover where they live, both with global distribution and the habitat they prefer. Learn about their diet, reproduction and diversity.
Having dipped in and out of this lovely book over the past few weeks, it has inspired me to learn more about this group of animals that we see on most divers, wherever we are in the world. Some of the shells are incredibly intricate and beautiful. I have always agreed with never collecting, or touching, marine life. The description of a certain set of cone shells should be a warning to those that are happy to pick up marine life! One of the cone shells has a local name called the cigarette snail. Why? Because once the venom is in your system from this animal, you only have time to smoke one cigarette before the affects of the venom are fatal!
What the publisher says:
Mollusks are invertebrate animals with a remarkable natural history and a rich fossil record, and their shells are prized for their breathtaking variety and exquisite beauty. Shells of the World provides a wide-ranging look at the incredible diversity of marine mollusks. An informative introduction outlines the lineages covered, followed by a directory section, split into classes, that profiles a broad selection of different taxa to give a sense of their sheer numbers and variety.
- Features hundreds of beautiful color photos, depicting both the live animals and their shells
- Discusses mollusk evolution, anatomy, life cycles, behavior, and ecology
- Describes unique characteristics, distribution, habitat, and size
- Provides valuable insights into the conservation of the world’s marine mollusks
- Ideal for malacologists and shell collectors everywhere
About the Author:
M. G. Harasewych is research zoologist emeritus and former curator in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he is the author (with Fabio Moretzsohn) of The Book of Shells: A Life-Size Guide to Identifying and Classifying Six Hundred Seashells.
Book Details
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Hardcover
Price: £25
ISBN: 9780691248271
Published: 9th April, 2024
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and 
the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
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- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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