The Scottish Government has recently published a report to the Scottish Parliament which details the progress being made on implementing Scotland’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network.

Written by Nick Riddiford and Kerri Whiteside, ‘Sea Area Fair Isle’ sets out the context and issues that make the Fair Isle case-study such a compelling one, and attempts to capture and convey what drives this community’s determination to protect Fair Isle waters.

We are delighted to share some highlights from the Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) footage taken around Fair Isle during this year’s inshore fish survey.

This year’s Coastal Communities Network gathering took place at Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae. Our research officer Katie attended on behalf of FIMRO.

Earlier in the month, scientists and crew from UHI Shetland visited Fair Isle to carry out acoustic and drop down video surveys aboard the Moder Dy research vessel as part of the Fair Isle DR MPA benthic research project.

The third consecutive inshore fish survey was successfully carried out around Fair Isle in early August.

At the end of July, FIMRO deployed their first FPOD. An FPOD is a type of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) device which is used to detect porpoises, dolphins and other toothed whales by their echo location clicks.

FIMRO were delighted to be invited to exhibit at this year’s Shetland Climate Festival. This was a brilliant opportunity to showcase the work of the Fair Isle Demonstration and Research MPA.

A survey team from Heriot-Watt University and NatureScot visited Fair Isle back in 2021 to carry out sea-based surveys of some of the caves around the isle…

What an incredible three days in Fair Isle filled with marine activities and fun! Here’s a recap of our amazing weekend…