The coast is a harsh environment due to the constant movement of water and sediment with the tides. Habitat-builders like maerl and flame shells change their environments by creating stable surfaces for marine animals and plants to live on, around and below. Unfortunately, they are easily damaged by trawling and dredging and take a long time to recover.

The No Take Zone is surrounded by a larger Marine Protected Area where sustainable fishing, such as catching lobsters with pots and hand diving for scallops, is permitted. The protected No Take Zone acts as a nursery for marine life that spills over into the Marine Protected Area.

The wildlife we can see and hear around coastal areas tells us about the health of the marine environment under water. These are common creatures around Arran. By improving the hidden marine ecosystem under water Arran’s Marine Protected Area has also made life better for the more visible coastal wildlife.

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust was able to protect the bay once the hidden damage had been made visible. Environmental problems like ocean plastic pollution can easily go unnoticed until someone raises awareness, like the ‘Blue Planet’ effect where prominent TV coverage led to public outcry. We know that harm can be caused at a distance but how can we care for the wild places we can’t see?