Five coastal projects secure share of £100,000
Moray CouncilMoray residents have voted to award five community-led projects with a share of £100,000 from the Crown Estate Scotland's (CES') coastal communities fund.
The fund aims to help strengthen, protect and enhance coastal communities, with successful bids ranging from water safety initiatives to underwater litter picks.
Moray councillor Marc Macrae, praised how the fund gave local people a "direct say" in where the money was allocated and said the projects would deliver "lasting benefits" for visitors and residents alike.
The fund is supported by revenue generated from the Crown Estate's marine assets in Scotland.
'Continued support'
A water safety project by Outfit Moray receives the highest award of £19,800.
It plans to deliver practical water safety events, work with schools and teach first aid to help children and communities to create safer coastal communities.
Burghead Sub Aqua club are to invest £12,690 in a mix of conservation activities including underwater litter picks.
Working in partnership with Ghost Fishing UK, it will recover and remove abandoned fishing gear along the Moray coast for the first time.
Mike Spain, director of aquaculture and marine ecosystem services for CES, said: "Since 2017, more than £900,000 has been provided to Moray Council as a result of marine activities overseen by CES.
"As we continue to provide support for coastal communities around Scotland, we are determined to ensure such revenue will continue to benefit the people of Moray and elsewhere."
The full list of successful projects is:
- Water Safety Project – Outfit Moray: £19,800
- Hopeman East Beach Dune Protection Project – Hopeman Community Association: £13,754
- Moray Shore & Sea Clean Collective – Burghead Sub Aqua Club: £12,690
- Lossie West Beach Coastal Protection and Access Repair – Lossie Community Development Trust: £50,000
- Sea Sense Moray – Tide School – Tide School CIC: £3,756 (partial grant)
