ARRAN-based community marine conservation organisation, the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), has been shortlisted for a conservation award from the RSPB The Nature of Scotland Awards are designed to recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in Scottish nature conservation and this year will see the third round of awards presented to organisations and individuals.

COAST – which has been campaigning for the restoration of the seas around Arran for nearly 20 years – has been shortlisted in the Marine Conservation Award category which recognises outstanding contribution to the conservation or sustainable management of Scotland’s precious marine resources.

COAST is recognised worldwide as one of the UK’s leading community marine conservation organisations and has been shortlisted due to its work promoting sustainable marine management on the isle of Arran.

COAST led a 13 year campaign for the establishment of Scotland’s first No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay in 2008 and a three year campaign for the establishment of a marine protected area (MPA) around the whole of the south of the island of Arran.

The South Arran MPA, the only community-led marine protected area in Scotland, was designated by the Scottish Government, alongside 29 others in July.

Andrew Binnie, COAST Manager, said: “Arran and COAST have been at the forefront of community-led marine conservation for nearly 20 years.

“During that time we have established Scotland’s first No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay and just this summer, the South Arran Marine Protected Area.

“We hope this recognition of our work will bring further attention to Scotland’s wonderful marine life and encourage other communities to do the same.

“Coastal communities around Scotland have a leading role to play in marine management and by working together can exert real pressure on the government to stop damaging fishing practices such as inshore scallop dredging.” Howard Wood, COAST Chair, said: “We are delighted to be on the shortlist for this award, and we congratulate all the other projects and people across the categories.

“We are proud to have begun to see the fruits of our work on Arran.

“Since the establishment of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone in 2008, the size, age and biomass of scallops has increased and the frequency of berried female lobsters is 5.5 times greater within the reserve than outside.” The third annual Nature of Scotland Awards will be presented on November 20 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh.