Marine Directorate: science

Introduction

Marine Directorate Science, Evidence, Data and Digital (MD-SEDD), the scientific division of the Marine Directorate, plays an integral part in supporting the Scottish Government's vision of marine and coastal environments that are clean, healthy, safe, productive, biologically diverse and are managed to meet the long-term needs of both nature and people.

The purpose of science within MD-SEDD is to:

• provide expert scientific, economic and technical advice and services on issues relating to marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and the aquatic environment and its flora and fauna

• provide the evidence to support the policies and regulatory activities of the Scottish Government through a programme of monitoring and research

• perform regulatory and enforcement activities

• represent the Scottish Government at national and international meetings

MD-SEDD data is used in national assessments, such as Scotland’s Marine Atlas, Charting Progress 2 and international assessments conducted by inter-governmental organisations such as OSPAR and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The scientists, engineers and socio-economists at MD-SEDD also collaborate extensively with academics across the UK, other Government organisations and internationally.

Some archival information on the work of MD-SEDD may still be found on the archived version of the Scottish Government's website.

Methodology

• Marine science: office of the chief scientific advisor marine
• Marine science: open data network
• Marine science: quality assurance
• Marine science: links to working groups

Resources

• Marine science: laboratories and facilities
• Marine science: research vessels and technology
• Authorisation of marine fish farms in Scottish waters: locational guidelines