Thank you Mark Ruskell for coming along to our Community Event, sharing your insights & advice & discussing campaigning, engagement & communities with Young Sea Changers Scotland today! It’s invaluable for young people to have opportunities to directly engage/communicate with politicians 🌊

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, so I decided to write something for it. 3rd July marked 8 years since my attempt. On Friday I move to Falmouth to start my dream Masters. I’ll be moving near the sea for the first time. Give yourself a chance, there’s so much life to live 💙

Not sure what I’m more excited about, having finally moved near the sea, starting my Masters, or finally having a bookcase that can display all my marine & environment books 🤣

And so my journey to an MSc in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation with University of Exeter begins… 🌊

Organised a social for all our degrees under the @ExeterMarine school, met Carla✨ who interned at Arran Coast!! Such a small world 🌊

Always dreamed of living near a beach. Moved to Falmouth a week ago. All week it’s been hot & sunny so I’ve taken full advantage, sea swimming every day. Gylly is my local. Yesterday was the only day I didn’t, instead went rockpooling. Plenty of folks did swim though.

Great first 2 days out on the sea for Marine Vertebrate MSc (U of Exeter) @ExeterMarine 🌊 Lots of gannets, grey seals, common dolphins & porpoise (yesterday) & bottlenose dolphins today. Other groups spotted a minke & tuna, they managed to evade us. Hopefully spot them soon too 🤞🏻

So happy to see Young Sea Changers Scotland shortlisted!! 🥹

One of my assignments for one of my modules is to design my own MPA and I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited (or ever excited) about an assignment before 🥹

The fact that even in the current offshore MPA consultation, management isn’t being proposed for those areas within MPAs that are actually subject to intense fishing is beyond me. Again, taking the absolute ‘p’ out of protection. & still no sign of an inshore consultation…

Assigned a presentation topic for one of my modules of ‘can MPAs benefit both marine vertebrate conservation & local communities?’ This is something I’m REALLY interested in & been a keen advocate on for a while, but curious to know others’ thoughts (either way)

wondering why I’m so exhausted today, but yesterday I gave an assessed presentation, after a 12+ hr drive from Scotland the day before, getting shingles from stress (+ a cold), & attending a loved one’s funeral (all since Monday) that might be why 🫠

Looking forward to being part of this panel discussing my background & experience in navigating the world of marine conservation & its barriers to access. Please share with young folks in your networks! 🩵

Wait, I know these guys! Arran Coast being discussed in my MPA lecture today. Also asked to highlight a community member who’s been key in conservation efforts & gave a shoutout to Bally from SCFF ☺️

More Arran Coast rep here in Falmouth 🤣 Carla✨

❓Do you know someone under 30 who is starting to make a significant contribution to our community of coastal and marine professionals and shows great potential?🌊Nominate them for the Bob Earll Award, to be presented at the #CoastalFutures25 conference! 🗓️Nomination closes at

So incredibly proud to be a trustee for Young Sea Changers Scotland - we were Highly Commended with our FIRST EVER nomination for a Nature of Scotland Awards Award, recognising the impact this wee org has had already in only our 1st proper year running 🩵 There’s more to come from us, stay tuned 👀

As many others have, I’ve also hopped over to BlueSky now. Come say hi! bsky.app/profile/thatse…

Except they don’t protect 37% of Scottish seas. Later in this very report it’s detailed that few of these sites actually have management measures in place. It is plain and simple: management of activity is what provides protection. This shameful bluewashing.

Merry Christmas from my family to all of yours & best wishes for the rest of the festive season 🎄🎅🏻