6. To ask the First Minister what impact the Scottish Government’s nature restoration fund is having on communities on Arran. (S6F-02173)

The nature restoration fund will provide £65 million over this parliamentary session to multiyear and multipartner projects to restore and regenerate nature and address climate change. To date, a total of £430,000 from the fund’s competitive scheme has been awarded to three projects on Arran: the glen habitat restoration project, the Dougarie estate’s green network project, and the support for the Community of Arran Seabed Trust marine restoration project. All of those will bring benefits for nature and local communities.

North Ayrshire Council has also been directly allocated £356,000 since the fund’s inception. We will shortly write to local authorities to confirm their allocations for 2023-24. Local authorities, of course, make decisions about local biodiversity priorities in relation to that funding.

Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the launch of RV Coast Explorer at Lamlash bay. I am proud that that vessel was partly funded by £200,000 from the nature restoration fund, which was established by the Scottish Greens.

Lamlash bay’s no-take zone, which was demanded and delivered by the local community, has had astounding success. That is a brilliant example of a highly protected marine area. It has seen a huge recovery in the marine environment, which is great for nature and marine tourism, and it has boosted the local fishing industry. Species such as scallop and lobster in adjacent waters are now bigger and more plentiful. How will the sustained success of Lamlash bay’s no-take zone be taken on board in progressing HPMAs elsewhere?

The First Minister:

I absolutely agree with Ross Greer. Lamlash Bay is a perfect example of exactly what we are looking to achieve throughout Scotland’s seas. That is an engaged local community that is reaping the benefits from the increased marine protection. Ross Greer articulated very well some of those benefits. It is great to see funding to the Community of Arran Seabed Trust from the nature restoration fund, which has helped to support the purchase of RV Coast Explorer.

There are lots of lessons for us to learn. We have had many a discussion and debate in the chamber on the issue of highly protected marine areas, and I suspect that we will have many more. However, I have made it very clear that we want to engage with communities. The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, among others, will travel across our island communities and our coastal communities to engage with individuals who could be affected by highly protected marine areas. Let us get to a place where we work with the communities that want to see that further protection in their marine environment to ensure marine sustainability for the future.

The Presiding Officer:

We move to constituency and general supplementaries. I have several requests, and I am keen to get through them, so I would be grateful for concise questions and responses.