House of Commons – Jan. 6, 2015

That this House congratulates the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) for being awarded the 2014 Nature of Scotland Award for Marine Conservation; notes with congratulation the outstanding work which COAST has done in nearly 20 years in promoting community-led marine conservation; praises COAST's substantial achievements, including the establishment of Scotland's first No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay and the creation of the South Arran Marine Protected Area (MPA); and believes that the organisation serves as an example for all those wanting to strengthen marine protection and supports the organisation's current efforts to ensure that mobile gear is prohibited from the South of Arran MPA to prevent scallop dredging and bottom trawling from further damaging the marine environment in the area.