Friday Email
MASTS Scotland
The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland is a consortium of organisations engaged in Marine Science
MASTS 2025 Webinar Series launches next week
Join us on Wednesday 22nd January at 1pm for the launch of the 2025 MASTS webinar series featuring physical oceanographer and coastal engineer, Dr Bahareh Kamranzad from 英国斯特拉斯克莱德大学 :
Coastal Resilience in a Changing Climate: Challenges and Opportunities
Approximately 40% of the world’s population resides within 100 km of coastlines, with over 10% living in low-lying coastal areas less than 10 meters above sea level. These regions face increasing vulnerability to the intensifying impacts of climate change, including flooding, erosion, and the loss of land and vital ecosystems. These challenges are driven by sea level rise (SLR), more frequent and severe extreme events (storms, hurricanes, typhoons), and shifts in meteorological conditions that alter ocean dynamics. The rapid expansion of ocean renewable energy technologies, particularly offshore wind and wave energy farms, introduces additional complexities, with both potential benefits and challenges for coastal protection and stability.
This presentation will explore the multifaceted impacts of climate change on ocean dynamics and coastal disasters. It will also highlight innovative approaches to coastal protection, including nature-based solutions and adaptive strategies, aimed at mitigating the risks and enhancing the resilience of coastal regions in a changing climate. Register here.
Contents
MASTS Newsroom
FYI
Opportunities
Events
Vacancies
MASTS Newsroom
1. SEPA unveil new method to detect chemicals in water environment
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have introduced an innovative new approach to water sampling to improve the identification and monitoring of chemicals in Scotland’s water environment. This approach will now enable SEPA to screen for hundreds of chemical compounds in one go by providing a broad-spectrum analysis of all chemicals present in a single sample...[Read more]
2. The Ocean joins our board
Director of Scottish Association For Marine Science (SAMS), Nicholas (Nick) Owens , has published an article on LinkedIn on his most recent idea to put "The Ocean" on the board of Trustees of SAMS. In the article, Nick explains that
[...] electing the Ocean to be a Trustee of SAMS is one of the most important decisions in our history.? It challenges outdated models of governance and champions a future where the ocean’s voice is central to decision-making.
The article goes into detail the importance of giving the Ocean a seat at the table and hope that their example will help to inspire a broader movement. Read more here.
3. National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2)/Planning Position Statement (PPS) Update
The Scottish Government's Marine Directorate would like to thank everyone who has supported and participated in the National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) stakeholder engagement events during 2024. Our Planning Position Statement (PPS) Consultation will remain open until 28 January 2025, so please do take part and give us your views (if you need a reminder of what the PPS is, or how it feeds into NMP2 development take a look at our Explainer Video or check out our new Easy Read version).
The Team will also be hosting an online Community Drop-in event on 21 January 2025, which is open to all and will provide an opportunity for attendees to share thoughts and views about what they value about the sea and their community. Sign up using this Eventbrite Link ?if you have an interest in marine planning and would like to attend.?
FYI
1. Online database of UK marine monitoring– do we need one?
MEDIN Marine Data ?have been tasked with finding out whether there is an underlying business case for providing an online database of marine monitoring undertaken by UK organisations. And, if there is, how this should function to meet the needs of the marine community. They would like to invite you - as MEDIN Sponsors, Partners and stakeholders - to contribute to this discussion over the next couple of months by completing of this questionnaire. The results will provide information to develop discussions and will influence the future of UK Directory of Marine Observing Systems (UKDMOS) and whether MEDIN will continue to support it.?Read more here.?
2. Accelerating Offshore Wind:
Developing a regional ecosystem monitoring programme for the UK offshore wind industry.
One of the major challenges facing the offshore renewable energy industry is how to deliver the speed and extent of the dramatic increase in offshore wind deployment needed to meet the UK’s Net Zero targets. Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult has released a report that introduces an alternative monitoring approach for the offshore wind industry. Read more and download the full report here.
3. Certified eLearning Module on the Climate Emergency
Keep Scotland Beautiful certificated eLearning module explores the Climate Emergency through?narrated content?that includes?engaging facts, imagery and videos, plus interactive exercises. There are questions as you progress through the module, and you’ll get a?certificate of achievement?from us if you pass. The module will take you approximately one hour to complete.
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4. UK Stakeholder Event
The UK National Decade Committee (Ocean Decade UK), with the support of Defra, FCDO Services and the The Royal Society , are planning a one-day science policy dialogue, bringing together a diverse mix of UK stakeholders to reflect on how the UK has engaged with the UN Ocean Decade so far, and to explore UK policy directions and science priorities for the next five years and beyond. Read more here.
5. ICES Call for Abstracts
The ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea have released a call for abstracts for their 2025 Annual Science Conference (ASC) taking place at Klaipeda University in Lithuania on 15-18 September 2025. The ASC will bring together marine scientists from around the world to share innovative research, ideas, and build lasting collaborations. The conference will feature a dynamic programme, covering key areas of ICES Science, including ecosystem science, human impacts, emerging technologies, and conservation. The call for abstracts closes on 17th March 2025 and is accepting oral, poster, and pre-recorded presentations.
6. OEP launches investigation into a suspected failure by Defra
The The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has launched an investigation into Defra in relation to a suspected failure to take the necessary measures to achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) of marine waters by the statutory deadline. Under the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010, the statutory deadline for GES to be achieved was 31 December 2020. The OEP believes that the available evidence indicates that this key target was not met [Read more].
7. Call for EMB Ambassadors?closes soon
This is a gentle reminder from European Marine Board IVZW that the call for EMB Ambassadors within your institute. The deadline for applications is 2 February 2025. In addition, as noted in December, we will shortly be posting out hard copies of the new EMB Policy Brief on Coastal Resilience. If you would like hard copies and have not already informed us, please make sure you let us know.
Opportunities
Public Contract Scotland Tender: OWD - Marine Mammal Impact Assessment:
Feature Event
7th ScotMER Symposium
We welcome you to join ScotMER for an exciting four day hybrid symposium showcasing research on offshore energy and the marine environment.
The Scottish Marine Energy Research (ScotMER) programme is a Scottish Government collaborative initiative that brings together; academia, industry, statutory nature conservation bodies, environmental non-governmental organisations and the Scottish Government (marine science, planning and licensing). The programme aims to identify and address evidence gaps in our understanding of the potential impacts of offshore energy on the marine environment.
This symposium will showcase ground-breaking research funded by the Scottish Government and our collaborators to improve the evidence base around how offshore renewable energy developments may affect our natural environment and other users of the sea. This four day event will cover topics including; Ornithology, Marine Mammals, Fish and Fisheries, Diadromous Fish, Benthic Ecology, Physical Process and Socioeconomics.
Other Events
The Future of Environmental Research: A NERC Townhall Dialogue
Join the NERC: Natural Environment Research Council for a landmark event shaping the future of environmental science. Be part of a transformative conversation as NERC and the 英国利兹大学 bring together leading minds in environmental science. This dynamic townhall will help chart the course for environmental research and innovation through 2050 and beyond.
Morning Session:
Get insight into NERC's Forward Look strategy
Engage with an expert panel on emerging trends and future challenges
Shape the future of research and innovation commissioning
Afternoon Breakouts (Choose Two):
When: 6th February 2025 at 10:00-15:15 at the Hilton Leeds City (with hybrid attendance options). Register online by January 30, 2025 (17:00 GMT). Any questions? Contact [email protected].
Vacancies
There are 3 new job opportunities added to our website and 12+ vacancies still open. Find all opportunities on our Vacancies webpage.
New Vacancies:
PhD Opportunities