Category: Current News

Newton Stewart Green Fayre Returns for 2023! The Green Fayre is returning to Newton Stewart for 2023, and will again be co-hosted by the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and the Newton Stewart Initiative. The event takes place at historic McMillan Hall on Saturday 9th September between 10am – 2pm. The inaugural Green Fayre… Read more »

I-VMS roll-out schedule released in England. Following last week’s announcement of the restart of the roll-out of Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) devices, MMO has released further details on the schedule and plan for English port visits. From 9 August 2023, fishers have been able to purchase, and arrange the installation of, a type-approved device,… Read more »

The Solway Hoard Comes to Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries. Tuesday 22 August to Saturday 2 September, 10am to 5pm, at Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries Journey forward in time to the year 3023 when a hoard of rare and valuable plastic objects has been discovered. Visit the exhibition and discover the fascinating stories behind the extraordinary… Read more »

Consultation on Prohibition of Fishing Activity in Allonby Bay HPMA. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is consulting on a proposed byelaw to prohibit fishing activity to protect and allow full recovery of all species and habitats and associated ecosystem processes in the Allonby Bay Highly Protected Marine Area. The proposed byelaw also requires that vessels… Read more »

Scottish Government response to the final report from the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee (ECCLR) Inquiry into the Development and Implementation of Regional Marine Plans in Scotland has been published.      You can view the final report from the ECCLR committee here; Development and implementation of Regional Marine Plans in Scotland: final… Read more »

Stranraer Oyster Festival Reveals Programme for 2023. Stranraer Oyster Festival has revealed its full programme for 2023 alongside a pledge to ‘go greener’ and help safeguard the wild, native oyster bed that the festival celebrates. Taking place from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 September, Stranraer Oyster Festival has quickly become established as one of the… Read more »

Job Opportunities at Annan Harbour Action Group. Annan Harbour Action Group (AHAG) are currently seeking the right people for the following posts: A full time Project Officer A part-time Finance/Admin Assistant A part-time youth worker For more information click here The closing date for applications for all of the above posts is midday on18th August… Read more »

Next steps for England’s Highly Protected Marine Areas. On 5 July 2023, HPMA designations came into effect in Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and Dolphin Head, granting them the highest level of protection in our seas. MMO is now proposing specific management measures that will support the recovery of the HPMAs to a more natural… Read more »

Consultation on New National Parks in Scotland. The Scottish Government has committed to designating at least one new National Park in Scotland by the end of this Parliamentary session in 2026. There’s still time to consider whether your local area in Scotland could be designated as the country’s newest national park. The consultation is currently… Read more »

A walk along Loch Ryan shore with a difference. Our friends at the SCAPE Trust are planning a short visit to Loch Ryan (Wig Bay to Leffnoll Point) to do a couple of days of coastal survey work in early August and are keen to involve volunteers. The SCAPE Trust https://scapetrust.org/  is looking for volunteers… Read more »