Point

Since 2001 surface water samples have been collected from Scottish coastal and offshore waters during January, and have been analysed for nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate and ammonia) with the aim of establishing regional background nutrient concentrations and contributing towards an assessment of the eutrophication status of Scottish coastal and offshore waters.

Surface water samples were collected at 15 minute intervals from the non-toxic water supply of FRV Scotia IV, during the MSS CSEMP cruise. The input for the non-toxic water supply is situated on the hull of the ship at a depth of ~ 4.5 m. Water samples were analysed at sea within 10 hours of collection (where possible) using a Bran & Luebbe QuAAtro continuous flow autoanalyser. The method for analysis of nutrients in seawater is accredited to ISO17025 standards by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.

Nutrient data can be assessed against assessment criteria established by OSPAR as indicators of nutrient enrichment (OSPAR 2005). Background levels (or concentrations) and assessment levels (50% above background levels) are used to assess nutrient concentrations; concentrations above the assessment level may lead, in time, to an undesirable disturbance to the marine ecosystem.

Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) is the sum of the concentration of total oxidised nitrogen (TOxN) and ammonia. Ammonia contributes only about 5% to the DIN concentration in Scottish regions

Since 2001 surface water samples have been collected from Scottish coastal and offshore waters during January, and have been analysed for nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate and ammonia) with the aim of establishing regional background nutrient concentrations and contributing towards an assessment of the eutrophication status of Scottish coastal and offshore waters.

Surface water samples were collected at 15 minute intervals from the non-toxic water supply of FRV Scotia IV, during the MSS CSEMP cruise. The input for the non-toxic water supply is situated on the hull of the ship at a depth of ~ 4.5 m. Water samples were analysed at sea within 10 hours of collection (where possible) using a Bran & Luebbe QuAAtro continuous flow autoanalyser. The method for analysis of nutrients in seawater is accredited to ISO17025 standards by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.

Nutrient data can be assessed against assessment criteria established by OSPAR as indicators of nutrient enrichment (OSPAR 2005). Background levels (or concentrations) and assessment levels (50% above background levels) are used to assess nutrient concentrations; concentrations above the assessment level may lead, in time, to an undesirable disturbance to the marine ecosystem.

Since 2001 surface water samples have been collected from Scottish coastal and offshore waters during January, and have been analysed for nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate and ammonia) with the aim of establishing regional background nutrient concentrations and contributing towards an assessment of the eutrophication status of Scottish coastal and offshore waters.

Surface water samples were collected at 15 minute intervals from the non-toxic water supply of FRV Scotia IV, during the MSS CSEMP cruise. The input for the non-toxic water supply is situated on the hull of the ship at a depth of ~ 4.5 m. Water samples were analysed at sea within 10 hours of collection (where possible) using a Bran & Luebbe QuAAtro continuous flow autoanalyser. The method for analysis of nutrients in seawater is accredited to ISO17025 standards by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.

Nutrient data can be assessed against assessment criteria established by OSPAR as indicators of nutrient enrichment (OSPAR 2005). Background levels (or concentrations) and assessment levels (50% above background levels) are used to assess nutrient concentrations; concentrations above the assessment level may lead, in time, to an undesirable disturbance to the marine ecosystem.

The peripheral fishing and port towns layer consists of 53 coastal localities characterized as fishing and port towns with varying degrees of demographic change. This is characterized on the basis of their census based socio-economic and demographic characteristics. This is the second stage of a based on a two-stage cluster analysis of coastal localities (defined as within 2 kilometres of the coast) with populations of greater than 1000 (for reasons of confidentiality).

These places have been characterised with higher employment in fishing/water and construction than the coastal average. Part Time and Self-employment are above coastal average perhaps reflecting the artisan fishing and smaller fleets that occupy these harbour towns. This is consistent with skilled trade. There is evidence of deprivation with higher than coastal average scores at household level. The population is ageing with more ‘one person households’ than found elsewhere.

Localities around Inverness, the North‐West Highlands, and the Scottish island populations are growing but have socially homogenous populations. In contrast, stretches of the coast with traditional fishing localities have experienced overall population decline. Examples include the East Neuk of Fife and the Firth of Clyde.