Marine and freshwater: areas of research interest

Areas of Research Interest

1. Climate Change & Biodiversity Crises

Context and policy relevance

Climate change and biodiversity loss represent two interlinked crises affecting Scotland's marine and freshwater environments. Understanding the impacts of climate change, developing effective adaptation strategies, and enhancing the resilience of marine and freshwater ecosystems are essential for delivering the Blue Economy Vision and meeting Scotland's climate and biodiversity commitments.

Key research questions:

I. Ocean Change

• How do multiple climate change stressors (acidification, warming, deoxygenation) impact Scottish marine and freshwater ecosystems across different spatial and temporal scales, including effects of changing geomorphology?
• How do changing ocean circulation patterns affect Scottish marine ecosystems?
• How can we improve access to and integration of existing data while enhancing monitoring of future climate change impacts in offshore regions?
• What are the potential impacts of sea level rise on Scotland’s marine ecosystems and sectors?

II. Carbon Sequestration

• How can we improve carbon sequestration through protection and restoration of blue carbon habitats, including planning of new blue carbon areas in coastal zones?
• What are the most effective approaches for blue carbon projects at a local, regional, and national scale?
• How can we better integrate blue carbon into climate policy?

III. Ecosystem Resilience

• What are the impacts of marine and freshwater heatwaves and other climate- related perturbations (e.g., salinity and nutrient fluctuations) on marine and freshwater species and ecosystem function at different spatial and temporal scales?
• What defines climate resilience in marine and freshwater habitats and what are their multiple-stressors?
• How can we build ecological and social resilience to climate change impacts, considering geomorphological characteristics and the land-sea interface?
• How will climate change affect disease dynamics and pathogen distribution in marine and freshwater ecosystems?
• What novel indicators could be developed for assessing Good Environmental Status that are robust to climate change and other shifting environmental conditions?
• What are the socio-economic impacts of marine and freshwater climate change?
• How can we assess and manage invasive species risks?

IV. Nature-based solutions and Ecosystem Scale Change

• How can we scale up blue carbon restoration to contribute to net zero targets while ensuring broader ecosystem recovery, and what are the economic mechanisms to finance this scaling?
• What would a climate-resilient Scottish marine and freshwater ecosystem look like, considering shifting species distributions and ecosystem functions, and how do we transition toward it?
• How do we measure progress toward transformational ecosystem-scale change?
• How can nature-based solutions be implemented in urban coastal environments to enhance resilience to climate change while delivering multiple benefits?
• How can freshwater carbon sequestration through peatland restoration and riparian management contribute to climate change mitigation and support biodiversity?

Relationship to Blue Economy outcomes

This research area directly supports the Blue Economy outcome: "Scotland's blue economy is resilient to climate change, contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation, with marine sectors decarbonised, resource efficient and supporting Scotland's Net Zero and Nature Positive commitments."

2. Clean Seas & Ecosystem Restoration

Context and policy relevance

Clean, healthy, and biologically diverse seas and freshwater environments are fundamental to delivering Scotland's Blue Economy Vision. This research area focuses on understanding and addressing the impacts of human activities on marine and freshwater ecosystems, developing approaches to reduce pollution and degradation, and promoting active restoration to enhance ecosystem health and function.

Key research questions

I. Marine Use Impacts

• How can we assess and manage cumulative environmental impacts on marine and freshwater ecosystems from all sources, including industries, communities, and other users?
• What are the most effective mitigation measures for different offshore impacttypes?
• How can we improve and develop standardised approaches to impact assessment monitoring?

II. Cumulative Stressors

• What are the impacts of emerging contaminants (e.g., PFAS) on marine and freshwater ecosystems?
• How do multiple stressors interact to affect ecosystem function?
• How can we improve prediction of cumulative effects, which capture uncertainty for decision-making?

III. Marine Pollution

• How can we evolve contaminant monitoring to address emerging priorities while maintaining surveillance of historical contaminants?
• What are the most effective indicators for environmental status?
• How can we integrate and improve environmental quality data across the land-sea interface from all monitoring programmes?
• What are the pathways and risks of contaminants from terrestrial run-off, historical contaminants from reclaimed land and coastal infrastructure entering the marine and freshwater environments currently, and as coastlines change?

IV. Enhancement and Transformation

• How can we move beyond pollution reduction to actively enhance marine and freshwater ecosystem function for improved water quality?
• What transformational changes in industries affecting marine and freshwater environments would contribute to ecological improvement?
• What metrics demonstrate ecosystem improvement rather than just impact reduction?

Relationship to Blue Economy outcomes

This research area directly supports the Blue Economy outcome: "Scotland's marine ecosystems are healthy and functioning, with nature protected and activities managed using an ecosystem-based approach to ensure negative impacts on marine ecosystems are minimised and, where possible, reversed."

3. Renewable Energy

Context and policy relevance

Scotland has significant marine renewable energy resources and capacity potential, including offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy. The responsible development of these resources is essential for meeting Scotland's climate targets, supporting economic growth, and delivering the Blue Economy Vision. Research is needed to support the sustainable growth of marine renewable energy while minimising environmental impacts and maximising benefits for Scotland's communities and economy.

Key research questions

I. Assessing and Managing Impacts

• How might approaches to site or regional characterisation more efficiently inform offshore renewables planning, consenting and monitoring.
• How could the potential impacts of offshore renewables on protected habitats and species be better assessed?
• How could the assessment of cumulative impacts of protected habitats and species from offshore renewables developments be improved, and integrated with an ecosystem-based approach?
• What new mitigations for the ecological or environmental impacts of offshore renewables can be developed?
• What approaches could be taken to reduce uncertainty when assessing environmental impacts of offshore renewables, given variability in the marine environment?
• How should the environmental impacts of offshore renewables be assessed?
• What opportunities exist for designing plan- or project-level compensatory measures for offshore renewable energy infrastructure and how would success be determined?
• What measures are needed for decommissioning, life extension, or repowering of offshore renewable energy infrastructure that balance environmental and economic considerations?

II. Environmental Monitoring

• How can baseline information on environmental conditions (animal abundance, distribution and vital rates) and influence of wider environmental drivers of change be effectively and efficiently gathered with meaningful purpose yet broad application and be kept up to date?
• How can we optimise monitoring requirements of offshore renewables projects or plans to effectively measure environmental effects while being proportionate to inherent uncertainty?
• How do offshore renewables impact protected species, habitats or the wider environment?
• What are the impacts of wind energy extraction on marine mixing, stratification, and resulting ecological effects?
• What new technologies could improve quantification of effects on marine environments to inform impact assessments?

III. Industry Integration

• How can we optimise array layouts to maximise energy generation while minimising environmental impacts, including effects on hydrographic conditions?
• What are the opportunities for co-location with other marine activities?
• How can we ensure fair co-existence between renewables and other marine users, recognising the distinction between co-existence and co-location?
• Within the context of climate change, how can we understand the cumulative impacts of the changing use of Scotland’s seas on other sectors in the marine environment?
• What approaches best support stakeholder engagement on issues of co-existence and co-location?
• What are the socio-economic impacts of offshore renewable developments on coastal communities, and how can benefits be distributed equitably?
• What are the challenges and opportunities for expansion of marine renewable energy beyond current programmes, and how should these be integrated into long- term planning and monitoring?
• What are the cumulative impacts of land-based renewable energy infrastructure and activity on freshwater and ecosystems?

IV. Environmental Enhancement

• How can we use offshore renewable energy infrastructure to enhance marine ecosystems, and their monitoring?
• What novel technologies and approaches could enable marine renewable developments to deliver nature positive approaches?
• What integrated monitoring frameworks would verify enhancement claims?

Relationship to Blue Economy outcomes:

This research area supports the Blue Economy outcomes related to climate resilience and mitigation, as well as the development of innovative, productive, and internationally competitive marine sectors.

4. Sustainable Fisheries

Context and policy relevance

Fisheries are a vital part of Scotland's marine economy and cultural heritage, particularly in coastal communities, and those beside the river network. Sustainable management of both marine and freshwater fisheries is essential for ensuring long-term ecological, economic, and social sustainability. This research area focuses on developing the evidence base needed to support sustainable fisheries management including viable fish stocks, ecosystem integrity, socio-economic sustainability of fishing communities in a changing environment.

Key research questions

I. Marine Fisheries

• How can we enhance data collection and assessment methodologies for priority data-limited stocks?
• How can new technological, behavioural, and management approaches be developed and evaluated to reduce bycatch and discard issues in mixed fisheries while maintaining economic viability?
• How can we better understand and model multi-species interactions, natural mortality, and environmental influences on recruitment to improve stock assessments?
• How can we understand and predict shifts resulting from climate change in species distribution and migration patterns for key commercial species such as mackerel, blue whiting, and bluefin tuna to inform future management decisions and international quota agreements?
• How can genetic and other methods be applied to understand sub-stock structure of key commercial species and incorporate this knowledge into management?

II. Freshwater Fisheries

• How can we better protect and restore populations of priority species (salmon, trout, eels)?
• What are the specific impacts of climate change on freshwater systems and migratory species?
• What factors limit productivity of diadromous fish in marine and freshwater environments?

III. Socio-economic and Interaction Management

• What is the contribution of fisheries to the resilience of coastal communities, and how might this change under future scenarios?
• What strategies can support industry adaptation to changing climatic conditions?
• How can we enhance the value and domestic consumption of nationally landed fish to improve food security and reduce dependency on imports?

Relationship to Blue Economy outcomes:

This research area supports the Blue Economy outcomes related to sustainable food production, thriving coastal communities, and healthy marine ecosystems.

5. Aquaculture

Context and policy relevance

Aquaculture is a significant part of Scotland's marine and freshwater economy, with the potential to contribute to food security, economic growth, and rural development.

Sustainable development of the Scotland’s finfish, shellfish and seaweed industries following the Scottish Government’s Vision for the sector by 2045, managing environmental interactions, and maximising benefits are essential for delivering the Blue Economy Vision. Research is needed to support innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth in the sector.

Key research questions

I. Environmental Monitoring

• How can we better monitor and assess cumulative aquaculture impacts in the marine environment?
• What are the key environmental limits and carrying capacities for different types of sustainable aquaculture within varying locations?

II. Aquaculture Production, Including Fish Health and Welfare

• What climate-related health impacts face aquaculture species and how can they be managed through improved health and welfare practices?
• How can we improve understanding and management of harmful algal blooms, jelly fish blooms and gill health?
• What are the most effective preventative approaches for improving health, welfare, and reducing mortality in salmon farming throughout the production cycle?
• What are appropriate welfare indicators for farmed fish and how can these best be incorporated through the production cycle?
• What are the opportunities and risks of facilitating new ways of farming, including but not limited to production in new environments and/or using novel technologies?
• How do we Identify routes of transmission of infection to and between farms and how to quantify their roles in pathogen spread, with practicable controls?

III. Industry-Environment Interactions

• What are the interactions between farmed species and the environment and are they effectively managed?
• How can technological innovation improve/reduce environmental impacts and be deployed and monitored effectively?
• What new species could offer viable sustainable aquaculture potential in Scotland?

IV. Ecosystem and Community Enhancement

• How can aquaculture systems be designed to contribute to marine ecosystem recovery, including but not limited to, multi-species aquaculture?
• What metrics would demonstrate ecosystem improvement from aquaculture practices?
• How can we best understand and measure social attitudes to aquaculture and the social and economic impacts arising from the sector’s activity?

Relationship to Blue Economy outcomes

This research area supports the Blue Economy outcome: "Scotland is a global leader in healthy, quality, sustainably harvested and farmed Blue Foods, for our own population and beyond."

6. Marine Governance and Community

Context and policy relevance

Effective marine planning and governance are essential for balancing the multiple uses of Scotland's marine and freshwater environments, protecting and enhancing ecosystems, and delivering the Blue Economy Vision. Evidence gaps to enable effective spatial management need to be filled and further research needed to develop evidence-based approaches to marine spatial planning, protected area management, stakeholder engagement, and policy design and implementation.

Key research questions

I. Marine Protected Areas

• Are MPAs effective in achieving their stated conservation objectives in a changing environment?
• What are the connectivity requirements for MPA networks under changing conditions?
• How can we improve monitoring of MPAs to assess their effectiveness and contribution to wider ecosystem recovery?
• Are MPAs effective in supporting wider ecosystem recovery, including spillover, carbon sequestration, and productivity enhancement?

II. Stakeholder Integration

• How can we improve ocean literacy and stakeholder understanding of marine planning within coastal communities?
• What approaches best integrate different marine users and coastal communities in both planning and decision-making to ensure equitable consideration?
• How can we ensure equitable access to planning processes, data, and decision- making for all stakeholders, including coastal communities?
• How can we effectively communicate environmental monitoring results and marine planning decisions to the public to increase transparency and engagement?

III. Policy Design and Implementation

• How can ecosystem service assessments inform marine planning and decision- making?
• How can marine plans effectively adapt to short and long-term change?
• What evidence gaps need to be addressed to enable effective spatial management?

IV. Systemic Change

• How do we move from protecting individual features to enhancing whole-ecosystem function?
• What would successful ecosystem-scale recovery look like and how do we measure progress given shifting environmental baselines?
• How can we better capture cumulative benefits across multiple interventions?

Relationship to Blue Economy outcomes

This research area supports multiple Blue Economy outcomes, particularly those related to ecosystem health, social inclusion, and economic prosperity through effective governance and shared stewardship.

7. Intelligent Observation

Context and policy relevance

Effective management of Scotland's marine and freshwater environments requires robust, timely, and accessible data and evidence. This research area focuses on developing and implementing new approaches for monitoring, data collection, analysis, and curation and sharing to support evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management.

Key research questions

I. New Technologies

• How can we better integrate emerging technologies (eDNA, remote sensing, AI, automation) with existing monitoring programmes to enhance environmental monitoring effectiveness and efficiency?
• How can numerical modelling be incorporated within the intelligent observations framework to support future predictions and scenario testing?
• How can ecosystem modelling capabilities be developed and integrated with monitoring data to better interpret ecosystem dynamics and support decision- making?

II. Enduring Data Integration

• How can we improve data integration and sharing across different monitoring programmes and sectors to provide training material for machine learning?
• What approaches best support data accessibility and comparability while allowing for innovation in data collection methodologies?
• How can we address infrastructure needs for storing, processing, and sharing increasing volumes of environmental data?
• How can data generated through research and monitoring activities be collated and made available for wider use?
• How can we maintain and maximise the value of long-term monitoring datasets while ensuring their integration and consistency with new technologies and approaches?

III. Transformation Monitoring

• What novel technologies and approaches could transform our understanding of ecosystem recovery and nature-positive change?
• How can we develop integrated monitoring frameworks that capture progress toward nature-positive goals across multiple scales?
• What are the key early warning indicators of systemic change versus incremental improvement that can inform adaptive management?
• What long-term funding frameworks could sustain the monitoring infrastructure needed to detect ecosystem-scale changes over decadal timeframes?

Relationship to Blue Economy outcomes

This research area supports all six Blue Economy outcomes by providing the data, evidence, and information systems needed for effective decision-making, adaptive management, andevaluation of progress.