This summer, several post-grad researchers from the University of York’s Environment department are carrying out fieldwork in and around Lamlash Bay No-Take Zone (NTZ). Leigh Howarth returns to the island for a second year as he begins collecting data for his PhD, and is joined by master’s student Tim Cross. Together they’ve been carrying out seabed surveys inside and outside the NTZ to investigate any measurable differences in seabed composition, scallop population structure, and for the first time, to explore the fish populations around the island. Another master’s student, Ross Greig, is working with local fisherman Charlie Weir on an exciting new study into the size and abundance of crustacean catch in the Clyde. Below is a quick summary from each of the researchers on how things are going.

Lamlash Bay Dive Surveys

The work this year falls into three different categories; diver transect surveys, photoquadrat sampling and baited underwater videos targeting fish. On the dive transects, a team of two divers record the abundance of all species encountered along a 50m line. In addition, any scallops encountered are measured, and later in the summer, a small sub-sample will be collected and dissected to provide detailed information on their reproductive capability.

The photoquadrat sampling, which is new this year, involves taking detailed 25x25cm2 photos of the seabed along the transect lines. The idea here is to have a high quality visual record of the benthic substrate on our survey sites inside and outside the NTZ, which we can refer back to. Specialised software can be then be used to estimate the percentage cover of various species.

The team’s newest venture is a baited underwater video camera, which will be capable of recording more mobile species, such as fish, which generally flee from divers. Leigh and Tim comment, “So far we’ve had some promising results, as well as a lot of hurdles to cross! The biggest challenge is in shooting good quality video at relatively deep sites (over 20m), especially given the murky green water and poor visibility this year. We recently purchased a special red filter which should help with this. You can see one of our first fish camera videos on the COAST website”.

Leigh then goes on to say, “I think the biggest question for most people is whether the NTZ is showing signs of recovery. Until we get more data, we can’t say anything objectively, but from a purely subjective point of view, there are some sites within the NTZ which are beginning to adopt a highly developed seafloor ecosystem, rich with sea squirts, hydroids and other life which attach to the seabed. However, there are also sites which are still relatively barren. What we have to remember is that Lamlash Bay used to be a heavily fished area just 3 years ago, and that for it to recover, it requires time”.

Tim concludes, “On the whole, I think the work’s been going really well. We’ve had some pretty challenging conditions, what with unusually cold waters this late in the year and huge numbers of lion’s mane jellyfish, but the work is involving and interesting, and it’s great to be part of a project with such long term potential.”

Clyde Crustacean Surveys

Its 0630 am and the first ferry of the day has yet to leave the island. Ross Greig is waiting at Brodick pier for Charlie Weir to arrive so their day can begin aboard ‘Kimberly’. Once the boat is loaded up with fuel for the day, extra fishing gear that may be needed and other supplies, Charlie expertly manoeuvres his boat out of the harbour and sets off on the hunt for lobsters and prawns.

Once the boat has reached its first set of pots, the hard work can begin. When the pots are hauled aboard, the catch is quickly sorted where Ross measures the sex and size of the lobsters that can be taken, notes the numbers of undersize juveniles and helps re bait the pots before stacking them at the stern of the boat. The legal size of lobster for keeping and landing is 87mm carapace length with anything smaller, thrown back into the sea. By noting the size, sex and number of smaller lobsters thrown back it is then possible to calculate the average size of males and females, to calculate the rough estimate of stock available and also to work out how much effort goes in to catching a single lobster. All this information is important not only to Charlie, but to the welfare of the seas surrounding Arran.

A typical lobster caught around Arran with its claws held closed with elastic bands to avoid any fingers getting caught.

The main aims of Ross’ studies are to assess the abundance, size and sex of lobsters in the waters surrounding Arran so that any studies involving lobsters and prawns in the No Take Zone (NTZ) have a baseline of data from the surrounding areas of Arran that are not protected from mobile trawling and dredging.

Ross has also taken on the task of looking into sea angling practise in Arran and the way sea angling has changed over the years. In the 1960’s, Arran had numerous angling festivals but now there is very little to catch in the waters around Arran. By using a questionnaire Ross hopes to investigate sea anglers views on how the fishing has changed over the years and the level of knowledge regarding the new no take zone in Lamlash Bay and the proposed marine protected area.

If you have a fishing related story, a tale of when you were out fishing, would like to participate in the survey or are just interested in what sort of thing Ross is doing then drop him an email at : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   and he will get back to you as soon as possible to answer any queries or questions you might have.

Ross comments that “So far all the people I have been in contact with have been marvellous. The hospitality and friendliness of everyone I have met has been amazing. The data collected with Charlie’s help has given me plenty of ideas and the analysis of the data will be very interesting. As for the questionnaire, many people have already shown a keen interest in telling me their stories of when they started fishing, with many actually volunteering to pass old photographs on to me to highlight the change over the years. So far its been really interesting to learn more about the sea angling and how its changed over the years and I look forward to anyone that has any stories.”

MPA impacts and awareness survey

COAST has always supported management strategies that are fully integrated with the local community, fishermen and other stakeholders. Whilst studies of the ecological effects of the Lamlash NTZ are well underway, so far there has been no work done on the social and economic aspects of creating a closed area. York MSc student Rachel Bower will soon be arriving on Arran to address this gap in the research.

“This summer I will be looking at the social impacts brought about by the establishment of the Lamlash Bay NTZ. My project aims, through a series of surveys, to examine people’s attitudes towards the NTZ, their awareness of the NTZ,and to investigate what impact it has had on Arran’s population. Gathering this kind of social data is really important, firstly as an opportunity for people to have their say about how the NTZ has affected them and secondly because the Marine Scotland Act (2010), which sets the path for the creation of a series of marine protected areas in Scottish waters, specifically mentions the need to examine any social effects brought about by protected areas.

I will be on Arran from August 1st – 25th and will be surveying Arran residents, business owners and visitors, so please spare a few minutes if I find you! If you have any questions or comments about my research, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.”