Howard L Wood OBE
@howardlwood.bsky.social
For 30 years I've been a community marine campaigner. A recent 2024 resume of what I & our island community have achieved so far. https://www.goldmanprize.org/blog/prize-winners-today-restoring-scotlands-seas-with-howard-wood/
Howard & Don discuss why in their opinion The Scottish Government's Marine protection & ultimately recovery have moved at a snails pace for a decade. Can @johnswinney.bsky.social Gov get its act together.
youtu.be/6n-ug1giCJc?...
youtu.be/6n-ug1giCJc?...
Howard & Don discuss the snail's pace of the Scottish Government's commitments to marine recovery.
YouTube video by The Incoming Tide
youtu.be
October 2, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Howard & Don discuss why in their opinion The Scottish Government's Marine protection & ultimately recovery have moved at a snails pace for a decade. Can @johnswinney.bsky.social Gov get its act together.
youtu.be/6n-ug1giCJc?...
youtu.be/6n-ug1giCJc?...
'Ignoring nature is no longer an option': New guidance aims to help place nature on board agendas
www.businessgreen.com/news/4535359...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4535359...
'Ignoring nature is no longer an option': New guidance aims to help place nature on board agendas
New guide from ISEP and Aldersgate Group urges business leaders to consider the decline of the natural environment as a material financial risk
www.businessgreen.com
September 8, 2026 at 2:52 PM
'Ignoring nature is no longer an option': New guidance aims to help place nature on board agendas
www.businessgreen.com/news/4535359...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4535359...
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
Immigration raids saw nine people arrested for working illegally on Scottish fishing vessels, the UK Government has announced
Nine arrests after Home Office immigration raids on Scottish fishing boats
www.thenational.scot
September 3, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Immigration raids saw nine people arrested for working illegally on Scottish fishing vessels, the UK Government has announced
Environmental Standards Scotland concludes that this is not simply because marine recovery is difficult or takes time. It finds that Scottish Ministers have failed to effectively implement the things they said they would. @johnswinney.bsky.social
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
Phil Taylor: Scottish ministers failing in legal duty to protect seabed
Scotland’s seabed is six times the size of our land – supporting biodiversity, jobs and climate resilience. Yet, as a new report from Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) has found, Scot...
www.scottishlegal.com
August 10, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Environmental Standards Scotland concludes that this is not simply because marine recovery is difficult or takes time. It finds that Scottish Ministers have failed to effectively implement the things they said they would. @johnswinney.bsky.social
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
💵 This was supposed to be “at least $20bn per year” by 2025 in finance for conservation. This is where we’re at now.
July 29, 2026 at 6:11 PM
💵 This was supposed to be “at least $20bn per year” by 2025 in finance for conservation. This is where we’re at now.
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
The evidence is undeniable: bottom trawling is inherently destructive and has NO PLACE in areas that should be ocean sanctuaries for wildlife
📢 Ban #BottomTrawling in marine protected areas!
Agree? Tell the government how you feel here: banbottomtrawling.oceanauk.justpost.cards?utm_source=b... ✊
📢 Ban #BottomTrawling in marine protected areas!
Agree? Tell the government how you feel here: banbottomtrawling.oceanauk.justpost.cards?utm_source=b... ✊
Tell the UK Government to Ban Bottom Trawling in Protected Waters
Help us kick bottom trawling out of UK marine protected areas for good by sending a message directly to the people in power. Act now to save our seas!
banbottomtrawling.oceanauk.justpost.cards
July 29, 2026 at 9:16 AM
The evidence is undeniable: bottom trawling is inherently destructive and has NO PLACE in areas that should be ocean sanctuaries for wildlife
📢 Ban #BottomTrawling in marine protected areas!
Agree? Tell the government how you feel here: banbottomtrawling.oceanauk.justpost.cards?utm_source=b... ✊
📢 Ban #BottomTrawling in marine protected areas!
Agree? Tell the government how you feel here: banbottomtrawling.oceanauk.justpost.cards?utm_source=b... ✊
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
🚨 The impacts of bottom trawling can persist for decades, new research shows
More than 25 years after destructive bottom trawling ended in an area off Chile, scientists are still finding lower coral cover & reduced biodiversity 🪸 @oceanachile.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/chiles-... 🔽
More than 25 years after destructive bottom trawling ended in an area off Chile, scientists are still finding lower coral cover & reduced biodiversity 🪸 @oceanachile.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/chiles-... 🔽
Chile's seamounts are still damaged, decades after trawling ended - Oceanographic
Study of Juan Fernández seamounts finds bottom trawling's damage to deep-sea coral ecosystems persists more than 25 years after fishing ends.
oceanographicmagazine.com
July 29, 2026 at 9:16 AM
🚨 The impacts of bottom trawling can persist for decades, new research shows
More than 25 years after destructive bottom trawling ended in an area off Chile, scientists are still finding lower coral cover & reduced biodiversity 🪸 @oceanachile.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/chiles-... 🔽
More than 25 years after destructive bottom trawling ended in an area off Chile, scientists are still finding lower coral cover & reduced biodiversity 🪸 @oceanachile.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/chiles-... 🔽
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
🎥
How healthy ecosystems can protect small islands from #ClimateChange
We need to take #ClimateAction to protect the most vulnerable nations & communities!
More📖 www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/w...
PL RP🩷💚💙
graph from: 'Climate Change 2022-Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability' @ipcc.bsky.social
#Video
How healthy ecosystems can protect small islands from #ClimateChange
We need to take #ClimateAction to protect the most vulnerable nations & communities!
More📖 www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/w...
PL RP🩷💚💙
graph from: 'Climate Change 2022-Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability' @ipcc.bsky.social
#Video
June 29, 2026 at 12:14 PM
🎥
How healthy ecosystems can protect small islands from #ClimateChange
We need to take #ClimateAction to protect the most vulnerable nations & communities!
More📖 www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/w...
PL RP🩷💚💙
graph from: 'Climate Change 2022-Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability' @ipcc.bsky.social
#Video
How healthy ecosystems can protect small islands from #ClimateChange
We need to take #ClimateAction to protect the most vulnerable nations & communities!
More📖 www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/w...
PL RP🩷💚💙
graph from: 'Climate Change 2022-Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability' @ipcc.bsky.social
#Video
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
Wildfires sweep Scotland, even the very centre of Edinburgh, yet political debate is dominated by calls for more oil and gas from the North Sea. It’s insanity - because more drilling won’t lower prices. That claim is a lie. We’re like Nero fiddling while Rome burns
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Drill, baby, drill: We’re like Nero fiddling while Arthur’s Seat burns
Wildfires sweep Scotland yet the political debate is all about extracting more oil and gas. It’s a total delusion, and believing it is an act of…
www.heraldscotland.com
July 23, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Wildfires sweep Scotland, even the very centre of Edinburgh, yet political debate is dominated by calls for more oil and gas from the North Sea. It’s insanity - because more drilling won’t lower prices. That claim is a lie. We’re like Nero fiddling while Rome burns
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
We have proven solutions to recover our inshore waters, surely to time @johnswinney.bsky.social @jimfairliesnp.bsky.social started listening.
www.thetimes.com/article/9a4b...
www.thetimes.com/article/9a4b...
Two friends won a ban on trawling. Now, this bay teems with life
For 40 years a pair of divers fought to outlaw damaging fishing off Arran in Scotland. Their perseverance has let to a threefold increase in marine species
www.thetimes.com
July 26, 2026 at 9:05 PM
We have proven solutions to recover our inshore waters, surely to time @johnswinney.bsky.social @jimfairliesnp.bsky.social started listening.
www.thetimes.com/article/9a4b...
www.thetimes.com/article/9a4b...
While Burnham clearly doesn't have a clue about Scotland. The last decade of @thesnpmedia.bsky.social has seen increased centralised decision making. Ignoring the basic principles of the Community Empowerment act. @johnswinney.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/262...
www.thenational.scot/politics/262...
The SNP’s opportunism is naked when it comes to Andy Burnham’s decentralising agenda
Enjoying our newsletters? Subscribe to The National for just £1 for 3 months at thenational.scot/subscribe
www.thenational.scot
July 2, 2026 at 6:23 PM
While Burnham clearly doesn't have a clue about Scotland. The last decade of @thesnpmedia.bsky.social has seen increased centralised decision making. Ignoring the basic principles of the Community Empowerment act. @johnswinney.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/262...
www.thenational.scot/politics/262...
The @snp.org Government's continued support for Maggie Thatcher's Tory abolition of the 3-mile limit in 1985. This measure opened up our inshore waters, destroying nursery habitat and ultimately resulting in an 88% reduction in inshore fishing boats. #Inshorelimit = Economic Recovery
June 23, 2026 at 9:41 AM
The @snp.org Government's continued support for Maggie Thatcher's Tory abolition of the 3-mile limit in 1985. This measure opened up our inshore waters, destroying nursery habitat and ultimately resulting in an 88% reduction in inshore fishing boats. #Inshorelimit = Economic Recovery
Very true, we are told by @johnswinney.bsky.social
Gov & @naturescot.bsky.social marine policy will be evidence led. Its NOT. over 87% of peer reviewed evidence is ignored as it doesn't suit there lobbyists agenda.
Gov & @naturescot.bsky.social marine policy will be evidence led. Its NOT. over 87% of peer reviewed evidence is ignored as it doesn't suit there lobbyists agenda.
Still remember the crushing moment as a young researcher when I realised that proving something through evidence had damn near no impact on social policy unless it was politically useful to believe it.
May 24, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Very true, we are told by @johnswinney.bsky.social
Gov & @naturescot.bsky.social marine policy will be evidence led. Its NOT. over 87% of peer reviewed evidence is ignored as it doesn't suit there lobbyists agenda.
Gov & @naturescot.bsky.social marine policy will be evidence led. Its NOT. over 87% of peer reviewed evidence is ignored as it doesn't suit there lobbyists agenda.
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
Turns out, if you stop tearing up the seabed, wildlife thrives:
ten years after banning bottom trawl fishing, there are 3 times the number of sea creatures + double the number of species in the South Arran MPA, Scotland, than there were before the ban 👏🦪🐟
share.google/2M5WqP3CXwSH...
ten years after banning bottom trawl fishing, there are 3 times the number of sea creatures + double the number of species in the South Arran MPA, Scotland, than there were before the ban 👏🦪🐟
share.google/2M5WqP3CXwSH...
Seabed life triples after bottom trawling ban in Scotland protected area
Nearly a decade since Scotland established the South Arran Marine Protected Area and banned bottom trawling across much of it, life on the seafloor has thrived, a new study has found. Scientists surve...
share.google
May 14, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Check out Don & my latest podcast when we discus with Rob Gibson his links to #Arran & his years as a MSP
Check out our new podcast with retired MSP Rob Gibson.
What the next session of parliament needs to urgently put in place. @johnswinney.bsky.social @thesnpmedia.bsky.social @scottishgreens.org
youtu.be/dw0Txzqai-Y?...
What the next session of parliament needs to urgently put in place. @johnswinney.bsky.social @thesnpmedia.bsky.social @scottishgreens.org
youtu.be/dw0Txzqai-Y?...
May 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Check out Don & my latest podcast when we discus with Rob Gibson his links to #Arran & his years as a MSP
60 nations agree plan to phase out fossil fuels, looks like COPs failure to exclude fosil lobbyists is being overtaken by wide range of responsible nations getting on with it.
www.businessgreen.com/news/4529034...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4529034...
'The time is now': Santa Marta Conference closes with pledge to deliver new wave of fossil fuel transition roadmaps
Inaugural Conference on Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels advances plans for national and regional roadmaps, as Tuvalu and Ireland agree to co-host next summit
www.businessgreen.com
May 1, 2026 at 4:06 PM
60 nations agree plan to phase out fossil fuels, looks like COPs failure to exclude fosil lobbyists is being overtaken by wide range of responsible nations getting on with it.
www.businessgreen.com/news/4529034...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4529034...
Yep will do, if you commit to reversing #Thatcher,s abolishing of the 3 mile limit. @thesnpmedia.bsky.social #Inshorelimit
Very positive response for our candidate Emma Harper and for the SNP on the streets of Stranraer.
From Shetland to Stranraer, make it #BothVotesSNP on Thursday next week for a government that’s always on Scotland’s side.
From Shetland to Stranraer, make it #BothVotesSNP on Thursday next week for a government that’s always on Scotland’s side.
May 1, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Yep will do, if you commit to reversing #Thatcher,s abolishing of the 3 mile limit. @thesnpmedia.bsky.social #Inshorelimit
As we approach Sir David Attenborough's 100th Birthday, last year the SFF called his message (to only allow low-impact fishing within Scotland's MPAs) "PROPAGANDA"
@johnswinney.bsky.social CabSecs Gudgeon & @gillianamartin.bsky.social dropped MPA management promised for 10 years. RegulatorCapture
@johnswinney.bsky.social CabSecs Gudgeon & @gillianamartin.bsky.social dropped MPA management promised for 10 years. RegulatorCapture
April 30, 2026 at 8:51 PM
As we approach Sir David Attenborough's 100th Birthday, last year the SFF called his message (to only allow low-impact fishing within Scotland's MPAs) "PROPAGANDA"
@johnswinney.bsky.social CabSecs Gudgeon & @gillianamartin.bsky.social dropped MPA management promised for 10 years. RegulatorCapture
@johnswinney.bsky.social CabSecs Gudgeon & @gillianamartin.bsky.social dropped MPA management promised for 10 years. RegulatorCapture
Reposted by Howard L Wood OBE
The Commission’s latest maritime spatial planning report is clear:
The problem isn’t nature laws, it’s implementation.
-Ecosystem rules mostly stay on paper,
-nature goals rarely shape plans
Just afterthoughts
Weakening laws won’t fix this,delivery will.
#OceanAct
Extract👇
The problem isn’t nature laws, it’s implementation.
-Ecosystem rules mostly stay on paper,
-nature goals rarely shape plans
Just afterthoughts
Weakening laws won’t fix this,delivery will.
#OceanAct
Extract👇
April 29, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The Commission’s latest maritime spatial planning report is clear:
The problem isn’t nature laws, it’s implementation.
-Ecosystem rules mostly stay on paper,
-nature goals rarely shape plans
Just afterthoughts
Weakening laws won’t fix this,delivery will.
#OceanAct
Extract👇
The problem isn’t nature laws, it’s implementation.
-Ecosystem rules mostly stay on paper,
-nature goals rarely shape plans
Just afterthoughts
Weakening laws won’t fix this,delivery will.
#OceanAct
Extract👇
. @naturescot.bsky.social
is investing over £250 million in peat bog restoration, BUT £Zero into marine mud protection, which will give up to 18x better carbon returns. @johnswinney.bsky.social
news.stv.tv/scotland/wil...
is investing over £250 million in peat bog restoration, BUT £Zero into marine mud protection, which will give up to 18x better carbon returns. @johnswinney.bsky.social
news.stv.tv/scotland/wil...
Wildlife in muddy seabeds ‘doubles’ when trawling is halted, study shows
The study focused on the South Arran marine protected area off the Isle of Arran.
news.stv.tv
April 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
. @naturescot.bsky.social
is investing over £250 million in peat bog restoration, BUT £Zero into marine mud protection, which will give up to 18x better carbon returns. @johnswinney.bsky.social
news.stv.tv/scotland/wil...
is investing over £250 million in peat bog restoration, BUT £Zero into marine mud protection, which will give up to 18x better carbon returns. @johnswinney.bsky.social
news.stv.tv/scotland/wil...
The management of our inshore waters is fully devolved, they once were an extremely important resource for Scotland. BUT its management is the worst in Northern Europe. Refusal to use fisheries spatial measures, & Scallop Dredging allowed in 87% of #Scotlands MPAs @johnswinney.bsky.social
Scotland is rich in energy, but because of Westminster decisions, we pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe.
We want to bring down your bills, other parties want to stop us for helping you.
It’s time that wealth worked for the people of Scotland.
Both votes SNP on 7th May
We want to bring down your bills, other parties want to stop us for helping you.
It’s time that wealth worked for the people of Scotland.
Both votes SNP on 7th May
April 29, 2026 at 7:40 AM
The management of our inshore waters is fully devolved, they once were an extremely important resource for Scotland. BUT its management is the worst in Northern Europe. Refusal to use fisheries spatial measures, & Scallop Dredging allowed in 87% of #Scotlands MPAs @johnswinney.bsky.social
Will @thesnpmedia.bsky.social address the worst inshore fisheries management in northern Europe ? Time to really support our inshore fishers and the environment they depend upon by finally keeping the commitment from a decade ago. @johnswinney.bsky.social Its an economic no-brainer.
A re-elected SNP government will establish a ScotWind Wealth Fund so the benefits of Scotland’s renewables boom help deliver long-term energy and financial security for the future.
Make it #BothVotesSNP on May 7 for a government that’s on your side.
Make it #BothVotesSNP on May 7 for a government that’s on your side.
April 28, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Will @thesnpmedia.bsky.social address the worst inshore fisheries management in northern Europe ? Time to really support our inshore fishers and the environment they depend upon by finally keeping the commitment from a decade ago. @johnswinney.bsky.social Its an economic no-brainer.
Yep terrestrial. Pity about the Marine Directorate & NatureScot failure to achieve proper managed MPAs & MD Compliance woefully track record. Happy to provide reams of evidence.
April 21, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Yep terrestrial. Pity about the Marine Directorate & NatureScot failure to achieve proper managed MPAs & MD Compliance woefully track record. Happy to provide reams of evidence.
Very well deserved, Sarah & her colleagues @wealdactiongroup.bsky.social have truly shown what grassroots activists can achieve.
I am deeply honoured to have received the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize for Europe. This recognises my long fight as part of @wealdactiongroup.bsky.social over fossil fuel production – and our eventual landmark legal victory.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
@goldmanprize.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
@goldmanprize.bsky.social
From a Surrey oil well to the supreme court: how an activist changed UK climate law
Sarah Finch’s fight against drilling led to a landmark ruling on fossil fuel emissions – and a leading environmental prize
www.theguardian.com
April 21, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Very well deserved, Sarah & her colleagues @wealdactiongroup.bsky.social have truly shown what grassroots activists can achieve.