Research is intended to improve capability and understanding and generally involves laboratory or field investigations and data analysis designed to answer specific questions and test hypotheses.
The research undertaken by Marine Scotland Science (MSS) is formulated into time-limited projects that are required to meet an agreed schedule of milestones and targets consistent with Marine Scotland's aims. Our research goals are:
- Understanding the functioning of aquatic ecosystems
- Understanding and quantifying human impacts on aquatic ecosystems, particularly on living resources and the aquatic environment
- Evaluating options for sustainable fishing and aquaculture
Monitoring
Monitoring involves the regular sampling and measurement of strategic aspects of the environment or living resources. In addition, analysis of historical information often provides great insight into the functioning of the ecosystem. This understanding is essential for the development of many higher level policy aims such as an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. The data are also used for routine advice, such as setting fishing quotas and identifying areas with high shellfish biotoxins.
It is particularly important to maintain long time series data sets so that ecosystems and the impacts of human activity can be studied against a background of natural variability and long-term change.
Advice
One of the other functions of MSS is to provide timely scientific and technical advice. Such information is used to guide policy development and support regulatory and statutory obligations of government. Particular responsibilities are:
- The management and conservation of marine and freshwater fisheries
- The protection of the aquatic environment and wildlife
- The management and further development and regulation of aquaculture
- The identification, notification and control of diseases and parasites in finfish and shellfish (both wild and cultivated)
- The protection of the consumer of finfish and shellfish with regard to public health
All of the work of Marine Scotland Science is overseen by a Science Advisory Board to assure the independence, impartiality and quality of science that it delivers. In addition, MSS is a member of a number of collaborative scientific initiatives including the CAMERAS partnership and other UK partnerships.