£75m project will study Scotland's seas

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 23:29

A NEW task force is to study the seas around Scotland, after it won £74.7 million in funding.

The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland, which brings together eight Scottish universities for research and training, will receive the money over seven years.

It will undertake the most thorough study ever of the seas around Scotland. Scientists will attempt to find out how best to utilise the sea for wave and tidal power, as well as studying fish stocks and wildlife.

Professor Ian Boyd, of the University of St Andrews, said: "Scotland has some of the richest and most diverse seas in the world.

"The extent to which we are able to maximise the benefits from Scotland's seas, while ensuring that this is done sustainably, is going to rest on finding innovative solutions, and these will come from basic research."

Scotland's seas are home to about 40,000 species and can harness 10 per cent of Europe's potential tidal power.

Eight professorships and 13 lectureships will be created by the new body. The latest grant of 17.4m was announced by the Scottish Funding Council before its official launch today.

Environment secretary Richard Lochhead said: "As we move towards an era where renewable energy will be even more vital in our fight against climate change our seas will only become more important.

"It's clear that our leading research institutions have a vital role to play in placing Scotland at the forefront of international marine research."