Management Committee
The management of the Voluntary Marine Reserve is steered by a Committee made up of local and national organisations with an interest in how the area is managed for the benefit of wildlife, the local community and visitors. Each organisation on the Management Committee has one elected representative that attends Committee meetings and is the initial point of contact for that organisation. Current members of the Management Committee and their representative are listed below:
- Anglo Scottish Fisherman’s Association – Jim Evans
- British Sub-Aqua Club – Tom Kerr
- Coldingham Community Council – Rhona Goldie
- Eyemouth and District Sub-Aqua Club – Alex Struthers
- Eyemouth Harbour Trust – Ivan Stevenson
- Eyemouth Town Community Council – Barbara Prater
- Marine Conservation Society – Calum Duncan
- National Trust for Scotland – Liza Cole
- Pathfinder Boat Charter – Paul O’ Callaghan
- Scottish Borders Council – Councillor Joan Campbell
- Scottish Sub-Aqua Club – Jim Anderson
- Scottish Wildlife Trust – Alex Kinninmonth
- St. Abbs Harbour Trust – Gus Skene
- St. Abbs Inshore Fishermen – Steven Hood
- St. Abbs Community Council – Fred Crowe
- Sub-Aqua Association – Jack Laws
- The Eyemouth and District Initiative Group – Becca Hayman
There are a number of other local and national organisations that are Observers of the Committee. They are organisations that have an interest in the management of the Reserve, but that have not joined the Committee. Current Observers of the Management Committee and their representatives include:
- Marine Scotland – Kevin Kelly
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency – Janet-Khan Marnie
- Scottish Natural Heritage – Richard Kehoe
- St Abbs Marine Station – Errin Todd
- St Abbs Visitor Centre – Harry Nesbit
- St Vedas Surf Shop – Steve Powner
- Other local organisations and businesses
The Committee’s current Office Bearers elected on 11th December 2012 are:
- Chairman – Lawson Wood
- Vice-Chairman – Jack Laws
- Secretary – Errin Todd
- Treasurer – Alex Struthers
Meetings of the Management Committee are held quarterly in addition to extra meetings throughout the year which have a specific subject. The Annual General Meeting of the Voluntary Marine Reserve is usually held at the end of the year. Meetings are usually open to the public and all are welcome to attend. For more information about upcoming meetings please see the events page of this website or contact the Marine Ranger.
Staff and Volunteers
The Voluntary Marine Reserve employs one staff member, a Marine Ranger, who is responsible for the daily management of the Reserve. The current Marine Ranger is Georgia Conolly. Georgia is originally from East Sussex but first came to dive at St Abbs in 2009 on a diving holiday. She fell in love with the area and secured the Marine Ranger position in November 2009. She began working as the Marine Ranger in January 2010 and had an unusual start to her new job when she was snowed into her new house for 6 days! Georgia is passionate about UK marine life and diving, especially in Scottish waters.
The Marine Reserve usually recruits a Volunteer Marine Ranger to assist the Marine Ranger over the busy summer months. To find out more about what voluntary opportunities are available visit the volunteering page of this website.
The Work Plan
In addition to completing the daily tasks required to manage a Marine Reserve, the Marine Ranger has a 3 year Work Plan which is the overarching strategy that governs what projects she undertakes and when. The Work Plan is consulted on and agreed to by the Management Committee. Visit the documents page of this website to download the current work plan.
