Surveys to reveal state of Scots seas

MARINE surveys will be conducted this year to measure the biodiversity of Scotland's seas.

Eight surveys will cover around 2,200 square miles of water. Areas included in the operation are the outer Firth of Forth, the Minches in the north-west of Scotland and waters around Orkney.

The results will help create protected areas, provide information on fish stocks and develop better maps of the seabed, as well as informing plans for renewable energy and other marine developments.

A range of techniques will be used, such as an "acoustic multi-beam survey" to create a 3D image of the seabed; underwater videoing and photography; and sampling sediment from the seabed.

Environment secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Scotland's seas provide rich marine habitats and a stunning array of biodiversity. This ambitious survey programme covers a substantial proportion of Scotland's seas, including areas to the west, north and east of the country. The results will improve our knowledge as we seek to strike the right balance between marine conservation and economic development."

The surveys will be carried out by Marine Scotland in collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Northern Lighthouse Board; Joint Nature Conservation Committee; British Geological Survey; and various science institutions.