Howard Wood

That the Parliament congratulates Howard Wood, who is a diver from the Isle of Arran, on being set to receive what it considers the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize at a ceremony in San Francisco in recognition of his work over 20 years to protect the island's marine environment and allow it to recover; understands that the prize is worth £117,000 and the winner is expected to spend it on pursuing “their vision of a renewed and protected environment"; notes that Howard is one of the founders of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST); believes that he played a key role in the campaign to set up the country's first no-take zone; understands that he recently led the successful campaign to establish one of Scotland's first marine protected areas and that, to ensure effective protection for that area, is now looking for the Scottish Government to implement tougher restrictions, and wishes Howard the best of luck with his environmental endeavours.