Marine Restoration on the Horizon: Reflecting on Scotland’s upcoming Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan

In the autumn of 2025, the Scottish Government launched the Draft Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan, the nation’s first strategic framework dedicated specifically to the active restoration of marine habitats. This plan is designed to move Scotland beyond conservation and toward active restoration of habitats like seagrass meadows, native oyster reefs, and salt marshes to combat the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. 

Muir Is Tìr was pleased to host a public consultation for the communities of Barra and Vatersay, featuring Professor Bill Austin of the University of St Andrews and the Scottish Blue Carbon Forum. This consultation served as a vital mechanism for involving community members in political decision-making concerning their local environment, helping to combat the mistrust that often arises when policy is dictated from afar by ensuring local voices were heard. 

Based on this consultation, a formal response was submitted to the government on behalf of our community. Our community response was built on the principle that restoration must be locally led, scientifically robust, and socially fair. The submission included a strong call for: 

1. Prioritizing Local Knowledge: We call for habitat maps to be updated using local environmental knowledge and modern tech like drone mapping. Priority should be given to sites lost to historical developments (such as causeways) while protecting our coastal archaeological heritage. 

 2. Empowered Regulation: Following the tensions of previous HPMA proposals, we emphasize that future sites must be locally owned and managed. We welcome clear guidelines that protect nature while still allowing for non-damaging recreation and sustainable tourism. 

 3. Sustainable Funding: We propose a "Restoration Hub" model—a local base for equipment and expertise. Funding should support local baseline surveys and ensure that participation is economically viable for fishers, perhaps supported by innovative "environmental credits" for visitors.

4. Building a Local Supply Chain: Restoration should create jobs. We advocate for community-run nurseries for seed and stock, and for formal qualifications that allow local shellfish businesses and young people to take a leading role in marine stewardship.

5. Transparent Data & Monitoring: We believe in "Open Access" for the islands. Any data collected on Barra and Vatersay must be shared back with the community in accessible formats, involving schools and STEM programs to inspire the next generation of island scientists. 

With our community response now submitted, the Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan moves into its implementation phase (2026–2030). Focus is on the rollout of national Opportunity Maps and a new, streamlined restoration licensing framework. For Barra and Vatersay, work now shifts to ensuring that local priorities are honored in the final delivery of the plan. 

Click here to access the government site for further information on Scotland's Coastal and Marine Restoration Plan: https://www.gov.scot/publications/marine-coastal-restoration-plan/

Seagrass meadow off of Barra © Ben M. Clark