CAOLAS Annual Report 2023-24

Loch Sunart and the Sound of Mull Community Association of Lochs and Sounds (CAOLAS)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024
Charity registration number: SC047982
SCIO registered on: 07 December 2017

CAOLAS Trustees’ Annual Report 2023 to 2024

The year 2023 to 2024 saw CAOLAS significantly expand its capacity for practical marine restoration, biodiversity monitoring and community engagement.

The Lochaline Native Oyster Restoration Project remained a major focus. CAOLAS continued monitoring the developing reef created from the first oyster cohort, while the second cohort remained in the nursery following the detection of a possible virus. New Nature Restoration Fund support, secured with Ardtornish Estate, enabled plans to expand oyster restoration and increase the number of release sites in Lochaline.

CAOLAS also made a major investment in its marine survey capability, securing funding for a survey vessel, drone and Remotely Operated Vehicle. These were brought together with quadrat surveys and water sampling to investigate existing and potential restoration sites. Two additional staff were recruited in February 2024 to manage and support the expanding oyster project.

The new Morvern Baseline Project began biodiversity surveys across sites around Morvern and Sunart, combining historic and existing information with new field observations. Early work identified native oyster shells, a flapper skate eggcase and a subtidal seagrass bed. The Loch Teacuis serpulid reef survey report was also completed and shared with NatureScot.

Community engagement continued through oyster volunteering, school sessions involving 57 primary pupils, attendance at local shows, winter talks and a new MPA interpretation board at Camas Torsa. CAOLAS also continued its involvement with the Coastal Communities Network, OurSeas and the Argyll Hope Spot.

Explore the full report

The full CAOLAS Trustees’ Annual Report 2023 to 2024 provides further information on the charity’s activities, projects, governance and finances during the year.

Download the full annual report to find out more.