Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Provides Marine and Freshwater Science Both Have Long Expert Scientific and Technical Support to the Traditions in Scotland

TOPIC SHEET NUMBER 2 V7

Marine Scotland Science A world-class science asset for Scotland Providing robust research and advice to underpin the management of Scotland’s marine and freshwater resources

Purpose Background Marine Scotland Science (MSS) provides Marine and freshwater science both have long expert scientific and technical support to the traditions in Scotland. Marine Scotland Science management of activities and resources in and has its origins in the marine laboratory and on Scotland’s seas and freshwaters to make sure hatchery established in Aberdeen in 1898 and everyone benefits from them both now and in the Brown Trout Research Laboratory founded the future. at Pitlochry in 1948.

As the scientific arm of Marine Scotland, MSS works alongside policy and Compliance colleagues Facilities in Scottish Government and delivers: Marine Scotland Science has two principal sites, • a programme of monitoring and strategic the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen, and the projects to provide scientific data and Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory near Pitlochry evidence and there are also smaller field stations. These • regulatory and enforcement activities laboratories have well-equipped aquaria; • scientific advice to Scottish Ministers chemical and biological laboratories; and • representation for the Scottish Government at acoustic, mechanical and electrical engineering national and international meetings facilities. MSS also has specialist quality, data and information management, and statistics MSS monitors and samples seas, rivers and lochs advice. The well-established libraries in both and the fish and other wildlife that live there. Aberdeen and Faskally hold some 20,000 This data and information are essential to assess volumes. Sea-going investigations are conducted the state of our aquatic environment and provide aboard the Marine Research Vessels MRV Scotia information on climate change, fish stocks, and (68 m) and MRV Alba na Mara (27 m), and from the impact of activities on our seas and waters. other vessels as required.

www.gov.scot/marinescotland blogs.gov.scot/marinescotland/ @marinescotland Working partnerships in multi-disciplinary projects and surveys. Some examples of this work include: Marine Scotland Science works closely with the • the oceanography of the deep waters north Scottish fishing and fish farming industries, wild and west of Scotland fish interests, renewable energy industries and • ocean acidification other government departments. • micro-plastics in the marine environment MSS is a partner in the Marine Alliance for • advice on renewable energy and oil and gas Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS). developments MSS also works with other national and • long term monitoring of plankton, fish and international scientific institutions through a the environment range of collaborative research projects and • statutory inspection and sampling on fish studentships. MSS is active at an international farms level, including the International Council for • development of new fishing gear the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the OSPAR • fish stock assessment Commission, International Maritime Organisation • emergency response (IMO), the European Marine Biological Resource • monitoring invasive non-native species Centre (EMBRC), and the North Atlantic Salmon • the effects of marine protected areas Conservation Organisation (NASCO). Our long-term time series are essential for Areas of science understanding natural variation and human induced changes in our seas and rivers. Data from Marine Scotland Science has Science Programmes time series and surveys in seas and freshwaters which cover: are submitted to international databases and • Environment monitoring and assessment inform nationally and internationally important • Renewables and energy work on fish stocks, the marine environment and • Planning and environmental advice climate change. • Fisheries assessment and advice • Fisheries data By providing scientific evidence for policies and • Aquaculture and fish health regulatory activities of the Scottish Government, • Salmon and freshwater fisheries MSS supports the Programme for Government, These are supported by the Operations sustainable use of marine resources and Programme. development of Scotland’s blue economy.

Our scientists are experts in topics from acoustics Our science is published in peer-reviewed journals, to zooplankton. They use science, technology, in several in-house publication series and in a engineering and mathematical (STEM) techniques comprehensive range of Topic Sheets.