Based on Arran, the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) recognises and values the amazing marine biodiversity right by our shores and the need to protect it for future generations. COAST is the driving force behind Scotland's first No Take Zone, created by law in Lamlash Bay in 2008. A No Take Zone is an area of sea and seabed from which no marine life can be removed by any method allowing the ecosystem the chance to regenerate.

Our vision - Healthy seas around Arran and the Clyde.

Our purpose - COAST works to ensure shared responsibility for the protection and restoration of the marine environment around Arran and the Clyde and the diversity of life it supports.

Disappearing flame shells reveal seabed potential

Research into the ecological history of our local seabed has revealed that flame shells disappeared within recent times. What led to the local extinction of this important habitat-forming mollusc and might it return to Arran's coastal waters?

Recent evidence has emerged from local research that the now rare flame shell Limaria hians was once widely distributed in the Clyde and common in Lamlash Bay....

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