Marine life 'flourishing' at Lamlash reserve

The small area of seabed in Lamlash Bay became the first protected site of its kind in Scotland.

A study by York University and a local seabed trust has found significantly more juvenile scallops inside the reserve than outside. And there were also high levels of kelp and other marine life, BBC News reports.

The 2.7sq km (1sq mile) area, representing about a third of Lamlash Bay, is conserved from any fishing and other potentially damaging activities.

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (Coast), which was formed to improve protection of marine life around the islands, said they were delighted at the findings.

The community marine reserve was set up in an attempt to strike a balance between fishing and marine conservation.

A complete fishing ban was put in place to help protect local fish and shellfish populations and maerl seaweed beds.