Workshop: "Protect Our Seas"

Make your voice heard for Scotland's seas!

Join Open Seas for a free workshop designed to empower you to protect our vital marine spaces during the upcoming Scottish elections. While the long-awaited consultation on management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Priority Marine Features (PMFs) has been delayed until after the elections, this delay underscores the critical need to hold the government accountable and ensure marine protection remains a top priority. This workshop empowers you to demand action and speak up for our seas.

In this workshop, you will discover:

• Why your voice is important: Understand the impact you can have on marine conservation.
• Ways to engage with the upcoming election: Learn about hustings and other effective methods.
• Hints and tips on how to lobby your electoral candidates: Gain practical skills to influence decision-makers.
• How to use marine science to strengthen your lobbying: Equip yourself with data-driven arguments.

Many of Scotland's MPAs, designated back in 2015, still lack essential management measures like fisheries restrictions. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to ensure our electoral candidates understand that our seas matter, and to hold decision-makers accountable for protecting our marine environment.