Aim

To reduce fishing and aquaculture-related marine litter in the Highlands & Islands by improving the evidence available.

Fishing and aquaculture-related marine litter is a growing issue which is significantly impacting our island and coastal communities. In 2025, fishing and aquaculture waste made up 34% of litter on Scottish islands, compared with 9% on mainland beaches. Discarded litter from fishing and aquaculture can cause serious environmental problems. Marine animals, including seabirds, seals, and fish, can become entangled in nets, ropes, and plastic waste or mistake it for food. Litter can also pollute beaches, damage habitats, harm tourism, and take many years to break down in the marine environment.

This project, led by the Marine Conservation Society, aims to reduce fishing and aquaculture-related marine litter in the Highlands and Islands by improving the evidence available to communities, industry and decision-makers. Increased data will act as a catalyst for change, evidencing calls for funded clean-up programmes and improved waste reception facilities.

The project will focus on the following activities:

• Continuation of the Littoral Lotto initiative: a citizen science beach clean-up and litter survey.
• Analysis of the litter collected across the Highlands and Islands.
• Engagement with fishing and aquaculture actors to discuss potential solutions to reduce industry-related litter.

How will this make a difference?

By the end of the project, we expect to have:

• Increased the number of detailed marine litter surveys completed across the Highlands and Islands;
• Produced a clearer picture of the scale and composition of fishing and aquaculture litter on island beaches;
• Identified priority sources and sectors for intervention;
• Generated practical, evidence-based recommendations with input from communities and industry; and
• Strengthened the case for improved policy and practice to reduce marine litter in Scotland.

The project will also increase the visibility of island communities’ experience, strengthen local participation in environmental monitoring, and build on the momentum of previous projects. In the longer term, this work will contribute to cleaner beaches, reduced harm to marine wildlife, and healthier coastal environments for the people who live and work in the Highlands and Islands.

All photos courtesy of Marine Conservation Society.

Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation

Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation (HIEF) is a Scottish Charity, number SC043026, working to protect and restore nature in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. They channel funds from people who share our passion for the natural environment of the Highlands & Islands to provide vital funding and support to grassroots projects working to protect and restore nature.

Conservation Collective

HIEF is a member of Conservation Collective: a global network of local foundations on a mission to protect and restore the wild places we all know and love. By contributing to this project, you are making a donation to Conservation Collective, and the funds will be restricted for this purpose.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 3rd November 2026 at 11:40am