Seagrass and Native Oyster restoration, Loch Craignish, Scotland – A community-based approach to restoring degraded marine habitats

Danny Renton

Seawilding is a community-led charity based at Loch Craignish, Argyll, Scotland, which is working to restore degraded seagrass meadows, establish native oyster beds and generally enhance the health of the local sea-loch. The talk will look at the joys, the challenges, and the need for this kind of action…

Brandon and Tralee Bays: an MPA for Bottlenose dolphins

Simon Berrow

Brandon and Tralee Bays are important habitats for the small population of genetically discrete bottlenose dolphins from the Shannon. Since 2014 the IWDG have been building the evidence to support its designation as an MPA. But what would this mean to users of these bays? Would this enhance the economic and potential and conservation status or restrict activities? Would MPA status help protect this vulnerable dolphin population and how can we bring local stakeholders onboard for protection to be effective?