Scotland will become a global leader in marine science within a decade with the launch of a new partnership which will pool the nation鈥檚 marine research expertise.
Ten of the country鈥檚 leading research institutions - including the 黑料网 - have joined forces to establish the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS).
MASTS will aim to place Scotland at the leading edge of international marine research by coordinating the work of the country鈥檚 700 marine research staff and a 拢74 million combined budget.
The Scottish Funding Council is backing the partnership with 拢17.4 million of additional investment.
The pooling arrangement will capitalise on Scotland鈥檚 existing advantages 鈥� our seas are among the most biologically productive in the world, at the same time we have 25 per cent of Europe鈥檚 total tidal and offshore wind resource and 10 per cent of its potential in tidal power.
Professor Ian Boyd, from the University of St Andrews, is Chairman of MASTS. He said: 鈥淢ASTS will build a new approach to ensuring that marine science in Scotland can remain internationally competitive and, in the longer term, the ambition is to place Scotland in the leading position globally.
鈥淚t will provide the academic platform and knowledge for marine governance and commerce.
鈥淪cotland鈥檚 seas are five times the size of its land area and have enormous untapped potential but face a range of current and future threats.
鈥淧eople have to develop ways to exploit the wealth and potential of the oceans in sustainable ways. MASTS will contribute to achieving this potential through scientific innovation mixed with enterprise.
鈥淕iven the importance of the oceans to Scotland as a driver of climate change and a source of renewable energy and food, it will give Scotland a seat at the international table amongst leading maritime nations.鈥�
The Director of MASTS - to be appointed in the coming months 鈥� will be based at the 黑料网.
Its Vice Principal for Research and Commercialisation, Professor Dominic Houlihan, said: 鈥淢ASTS is a hugely important collaboration that will place Scotland at the forefront of marine expertise in a range of areas from the coasts to the deep oceans and focusing on global change, fisheries and aquaculture.
鈥淭he 黑料网 has an international reputation for marine and fisheries research and we are delighted that the new director of MASTS will be based here.鈥�
Mark Batho, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: 鈥淪cotland鈥檚 coastline and seas are of immense importance to the country鈥檚 wealth and culture. As a marine nation, marine science has been a natural part of Scotland鈥檚 contribution to modern science. The Council is pleased to support this science community to build on its success with a strong research pool.鈥�
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, added: 鈥淥ur new Marine Bill provides the perfect platform to build on Scotland鈥檚 already outstanding reputation for marine science. Scotland鈥檚 prospects of becoming a global leader in future years will be greatly strengthened by the launch of MASTS, supported by over 拢17 million of new investment from the Scottish Funding Council.鈥�