The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) stands as a powerful example of grassroots marine conservation in action. Founded by two local divers on the Isle of Arran, this pioneering organization has led the charge in protecting Scotland’s seas through the establishment of marine protected areas. With a focus on restoring biodiversity, engaging the local community, and advocating for sustainable practices, COAST has transformed the waters around Arran into a thriving hub of marine life. Their model offers valuable lessons in how community-driven conservation can lead to tangible ecological recovery and sustainable livelihoods.
Origin Story
The origins of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) trace back to two local scuba divers, Howard Wood and Don MacNeish. In the 1980s, they witnessed first-hand the stark depletion of marine life in the waters around the Isle of Arran, a decline caused largely by destructive fishing practices like scallop dredging and bottom trawling. Determined to make a difference, Don’s trip to New Zealand in 1989 served as a key turning point. There, he observed thriving marine reserves where fishing restrictions had allowed marine ecosystems to recover. This sparked an idea: if marine reserves could work in New Zealand, why not in Arran?
With that inspiration, Howard and Don founded COAST in 1995, pooling their personal savings to kick-start the initiative. Their goal was to restore the rich marine life they had witnessed decline, and to protect it for future generations. COAST set out on a journey to establish Scotland’s first No Take Zone (NTZ) in Lamlash Bay and later, a larger Marine Protected Area (MPA) around the island.
Achievements
COAST’s hard work and perseverance have led to several remarkable achievements. The most significant was the establishment of Scotland’s first-ever NTZ in Lamlash Bay in 2008, a 2.67 km² area where all fishing and extraction activities were prohibited. This NTZ quickly became a safe haven for marine species, with COAST’s data showing increased biodiversity and larger populations of species like juvenile scallops and lobsters.
Building on this success, COAST pushed for the creation of the South Arran MPA, which was designated in 2014 and came into effect in 2016. This 280 km² protected area banned destructive practices like scallop dredging and allowed sustainable fishing methods such as creel and pot fishing. The effects of these protections were striking, with research showing a 352% increase in king scallops within the NTZ between 2010 and 2022, and an 853% increase across the MPA between 2016 and 2022.
Their achievements have been widely recognized, earning COAST several awards, including the Observer Ethical Award for Conservation Project of the Year in 2008, the Nature of Scotland Award for Marine Conservation in 2014, and an OBE for co-founder Howard Wood in 2016. COAST’s work has garnered significant media attention, from being featured by Greenpeace as a global case study to regular coverage in the BBC, raising the profile of marine conservation in the region.
Keys to Success
COAST’s success rests on three key pillars: community support, robust scientific data, and political will. From the beginning, Howard and Don knew that the support of the local community would be essential. They invested years into building relationships with fishermen, local stakeholders, and decision-makers. COAST also collaborated closely with scientists to gather the data needed to make a compelling case for marine protections.
Political support was the final piece of the puzzle. After 13 years of persistent lobbying, meetings, and petitions to the Scottish Parliament, COAST achieved their goal of establishing the NTZ. This combination of strong community backing, evidence-based decision-making, and political willpower continues to be the cornerstone of their success.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is at the heart of COAST’s conservation efforts. Their COAST Discovery Centre, opened in 2018, serves as a hub for education and awareness, offering interactive exhibits, workshops, and activities to teach visitors about marine life and conservation. COAST also actively engages with schools through educational resources and workshops, inspiring the next generation to care for the marine environment. Their regular updates on social media keep the community informed and engaged in their ongoing efforts.
COAST’s website also features a map with location and description of the best snorkelling and scuba-diving spots around the island. The beauty of the local waters, as well as the destruction caused by bottom-fishing methods that prompted the creation of COAST, are captured in their documentaries The Bay and Caught in Time, highlighting the importance of conservation.
Collecting Data
Research has been a vital component of COAST’s work. The RV COAST Explorer, launched in 2023, is their dedicated research vessel, equipped with advanced technology for monitoring marine life, towing sonar equipment, and facilitating citizen science workshops. This vessel allows COAST to conduct in-depth research and expand their understanding of the local marine environment.
By the end of 2018, COAST had supported 25 MSc students and 3 PhDs, contributing to at least five peer-reviewed papers. This research not only helps to track the success of conservation efforts but also informs policy and contributes to a growing body of scientific knowledge about marine ecosystems.
Inspiring Political Will
COAST’s most significant campaigns have revolved around the creation of protected marine areas. The journey to establish the Lamlash Bay NTZ took 13 years of tireless efforts, from their initial conversations with fishermen and government officials to the legal designation in 2008. In 2012, they submitted a proposal for the South Arran MPA, which received over 1,400 public responses in support and was designated by the Scottish Government in 2014, as part of the network of MPAs created by the Scottish government. Legal enforcement measures came into effect in 2016, bringing protection to an area of 280 km².
Beyond these milestones, COAST continues to advocate for stronger protections for marine ecosystems, including working with the Our Seas Coalition to campaign for the restoration of Scotland’s inshore fisheries limit, which would push mobile fishing further offshore and protect the seabed from further irreparable damage.
Communicating Their Model: The Coastal Communities Network
COAST’s successful approach to marine conservation has inspired other communities to take action. In collaboration with Fauna and Flora International, COAST helped establish the Coastal Communities Network, a growing alliance of nearly 30 community groups across Scotland working to replicate COAST’s model of community-led conservation. By sharing best practices, resources, and strategies, these groups are building a united front to advocate for stronger marine protections and sustainable practices across the country.
Looking to the Future
Looking ahead, COAST remains committed to their mission of protecting the marine environment around Arran and beyond. They advocate for transitioning the economy from extractive activities like scallop dredging to sustainable alternatives such as low-impact fishing, eco-tourism, diving, and watersports. They aim to continue empowering local communities to demand a voice in the management of their marine resources. By promoting ocean literacy and engaging more people in marine conservation, COAST is laying the groundwork for a sustainable future where healthy marine ecosystems can support both biodiversity and local livelihoods.
As they continue their journey, COAST’s vision is clear: a future where thriving marine habitats are valued as a public asset, protected by strong, science-driven policies, and managed in partnership with the communities that depend on them.
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