The waters off the Berwickshire coast have long been considered special by marine biologists as they contain a fantastic abundance and diversity of marine life. Add to this clear waters and spectacular underwater scenery and it is not surprising that divers have been coming to the area for decades.

In the early days numbers were low, but word soon spread and by the 1970s there were concerns that increasing human activity might start to have an adverse effect on the wildlife. Initially divers banned themselves from taking a crab or lobster “for the pot” from around St Abbs and the Barefoot Marine Reserve was set up at Eyemouth by a local landowner. Then in 1984 local fishermen, divers and conservationists got together and decided to create St Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve (VMR). This was the first reserve of its kind in the UK and, to this day, remains the only one in Scotland.

The VMR aims to balance the needs of the area’s marine life with the needs of recreation & traditional creel fishing. Protection of the marine life relies on educating people who use the area, promoting responsible behaviour and asking them to stick to a voluntary Code of Conduct.

2nd August 2008
White-beaked dolphins off St Abbs Harbour
Two White-beaked dolphins decided to stop and play around St Abbs Inshore Lifeboat whilst it was out on exercise this morning. They made several passes under the boat and then indulged in a short spell of bowriding before disappearing as fast as they appeared.

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30th July 2008
Extremely exciting sighting in Reserve - a crayfish!
Yesterday a crayfish (Palinurus elephas), or European spiny lobster as it is now known, was spotted in a crack in a reef at Thrummie Carr to the north end of the Marine Reserve.

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25th July 2008
Edible boats a feast for the eyes!
Wednesday 23rd July saw 100s of people, of all ages, descending on Eyemouth beach to take part in Britain's first ever Edible Boat Race. This eco-friendly fun was part of the Eyemouth Herring Queen Festival celebrations.

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