Threats to Scotland's marine and coastal environment

Scotland’s seas and our iconic marine wildlife are under threat. It is important to identify and take steps to reduce the impact of these pressures.

Unsustainable Fishing

Commercial fishing can damage our marine environment in a range of different ways. This includes overfishing when more fish stock is removed from the marine environment than can be naturally replenished.

Disease

Diseases, such as bird flu, can have a devastating impact on wild bird populations. Find out more about the effect of the current outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on Scotland's seabirds here.