RV Explorer and Scottish Government work on marine conservation

That this House congratulates the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), in partnership with Arran Outdoor Education Centre, on the official launch of the RV Arran Coast Explorer, with the formalities undertaken by Màiri McAllan MSP, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition; is aware that this multifunction vessel will help deliver a range of restoration, research and education projects; welcomes the RV Explorer as a vital resource to COAST in facilitating the advancement of marine scientific research in collaboration with leading universities as well as allowing the monitoring of the recovery of the waters around the Isle of Arran and surrounding areas; understands that the vessel will prove invaluable in enabling COAST to develop its research into the recovery of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone, which recently celebrated its 14th birthday, the South Arran Marine Protected Area and the wider Clyde region; shares COAST’s view that the arrival of the new vessel will allow the island to realise the full potential of Arran’s marine conservation areas and raise the profile of Arran as a destination for marine environmental education, knowledge exchange and eco-tourism; and applauds the SNP Scottish Government Nature Restore Fund in its support for COAST in procuring this vessel, facilitated by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund, managed by NatureScot, further highlighting the SNP Government’s commitment to marine conservation on Arran, which it designated as Scotland’s first No Take Zone in 2008 to protect key habitats and species and enhance biodiversity.