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.

25th July 2009
Splash In 2009 Rules now online
The rules for this year's Splash In are now downloadable from the News & Events section of this website. If you are thinking of taking part please do read them thoroughly as there have been some changes made.

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13th June 2009
Silver Jubilee Ceilidh Tickets On Sale Now!
The Marine Reserve is turning 25 this year which is something really worth celebrating. And to start off those celebrations we are holding a Silver Jubilee Ceilidh on Saturday 15th August. However, tickets are in limited supply so make sure you buy yours early to avoid disappointment!

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27th May 2009
John Dory seen off Eyemouth
Yesterday saw the first sighting of a John Dory (Zeus faber) in the area, at Nestends Reef off Eyemouth. Not commonly seen in the North Sea, we tend to have just one or two sightings a year.

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