Woman accused of ‘fake claims’ over chair incident at Highland office
A civil servant who claimed to be the victim of cruel office pranks has been accused of gross misconduct.
Marine Scotland
Fishing watchdog sends out more than 1,000 letters a year over rule breaches
Fishing vessels operating off the north and north-east coasts are being sent more than 1,000 letters every year over potential rule breaches.
Scottish Government requests £52m to prepare for no-deal Brexit
The Scottish Government has requested £52 million from a contingency fund to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
Young lobster catch at north-east port highlights ‘unforgivable’ practice blighting Scotland’s coastline
Fishing chiefs have demanded tighter regulation on the illegal landing of undersized shellfish after a skipper raised concerns about a catch at a north-east port.
Councillor calls for quicker process to make harbour dredging easier
A Banff councillor has called for a quicker way of allowing harbour dredging to take place after fears vessels may be left "high and dry".
New marine nature reserves could leave businesses with £15 million bill
Fishing and energy firms could bear the brunt of a £15 million bill if new marine nature reserves are created off the west and north-east coasts, it has emerged.
Investigation launched after suspected illegal dredging in protected marine area in Wester Ross
A probe has been launched by the fishery protection arm of the Scottish Government after an alleged case of illegal scallop dredging in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) near Loch Broom.
Investigation launched after diseased fish discovered in north-east rivers
An investigation has been launched following the discovery of diseased fish in two north-east rivers.
Hopes of boost for Macduff Harbour after revised landing regulations introduced
Fishing chiefs hope new regulations will give a north-east harbour another major boost.
Man caught using a drone just feet above haul-out zone at Forvie
Police are investigating claims of wildlife harassment at a north-east nature reserve.
Concern over Scottish fishing boat inspection rate
Concerns that Scottish fishing vessels are being inspected more often than EU boats have been raised by a north-east MSP.
Council tells Scottish Government to throw out wind farm expansion plans
Moray Council has moved to officially object to proposals to expand a wind farm on Speyside - but backed the giant Moray West offshore plan.
Review concludes into Marine Scotland bullying claims
Action to ensure acceptable working practices at Marine Scotland is under way following claims by a former worker of being taped to a chair at the agency’s Caithness base.
Investigation launched after seal death at Aberdeen harbour expansion
An investigation is underway into whether blasting work led to the death of a grey seal at the Aberdeen harbour expansion project.
Mammoth wind project planned for north-east coast
A new mammoth offshore wind project has applied for Marine Scotland consent off the north-east coast of Scotland.
Tribunal finds against woman who said bullying at north workplace drove her to brink of suicide
A woman who claimed she was taped to a chair and threatened during a decade-long campaign of harassment while working at a government agency has failed to secure damages after taking her employer to tribunal.
Tribunal woman moved by global support but described as ‘capable of malicious allegations’
A woman who claims she endured 10 years of bullying at a government agency says she has been moved by global messages of support since taking her employers to tribunal.
‘Sexist bullying pushed me to the brink of suicide’
A woman has told an employment tribunal how she contacted a Swiss suicide clinic following an alleged campaign of abuse from her male colleagues at a government agency.
New record for mussel production
Scottish mussel growers achieved a bumper harvest during 2017, official figures show.
Nicola Sturgeon left ‘horrified’ by photo of Highland whistleblower ‘taped to a chair’
Nicola Sturgeon has ordered a full investigation after being left “absolutely horrified” by a photograph appearing to show a Highland government agency whistleblower taped to a chair and gagged.
New mapping tool developed to help safeguard wild salmon in Scottish rivers
A new mapping tool aimed at safeguarding wild salmon in Scottish rivers has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government to look at the impact of climate change.
EOWDC developer’s EU-backed fund will support four research projects
The developer behind a renewable-energy scheme taking shape off the north-east coast has named the projects that will share a £2.6million pot of funding for research into the environmental impacts of offshore wind generation.
Scottish mussel farmers set new production record
Scotland enjoyed a boom in mussel production during 2016, with a record 7,732tonnes harvested, new figures show.
Union vote could leave Scotland’s seas “open to illegal fishing”
Members of Unite the union at Scottish Government agency Marine Scotland have voted unanimously in favour of industrial action in a long-running dispute over fair pay.
Pentland Firth marine plan nominated for award
A master plan for the waters around Orkney and the Pentland Firth have been nominated for an award.
Row over cut to retention payment for Marine Scotland seagoing staff
A row has broken out after Marine Scotland management cut £3,000 from a £5,000 supplementary payment designed to retain its seagoing staff.
Ewing demands a fair deal for low-paid fishers
Fishing Minister Fergus Ewing has called for fair play over pay for workers employed by Scotland’s catch sector.
‘Fishermen at risk due to £250million north-east windfarm’
Concerns have been raised that a huge £250million floating windfarm off the north-east coast could pose a hazard for fishermen.
This is what £250million north-east floating wind farm will look like
These images show how a £250million floating wind farm off of the north-east coast would look if given the backing of the Scottish Government.
Pay difference among seafarers must be addressed says MSP
Seagoing staff working for Marine Scotland are being paid thousands of pounds less than those in comparable posts for ferry operator CalMac.
Statoil cleared to begin work on Europe’s largest floating windfarm
Construction work on Europe’s largest floating wind farm will begin later this year after the Crown Estate granted a lease to Norwegian multinational Statoil.
New marine plan launched for coastal north Highlands
A new marine plan promoting biodiversity on the north coast has been completed.