Nature champion for sea trout recognised

Congratulations to Jackie Dunbar who was named Scottish Environment LINK's MSP Nature Champion of 2023 for her work on behalf of sea trout.

MSP for Aberdeen Donside Jackie Dunbar agreed to champion sea trout - a species hosted by the John Muir Trust and Scottish Wildlife Trust - in 2022. Since then she has been committed and passionate about protecting the interests of a fish that's under threat from: loss of spawning river gravel habitat; physical barriers to migration; exploitation; pollution; sea-lice; temperature change and decline in sandeels.

Early in 2023, Jackie joined representatives from the Trust and Scottish Wildlife Trust for a walk along the river Don in her constituency to learn more about the threats facing Scotland’s sea trout. Following this visit, at a meeting of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Jackie questioned the Minister about holistic sustainable land management for recovering species, with specific reference to sea trout conservation, also raising the opportunity for the Minister to include sea trout within wider protection strategies.

Jackie then went on to successfully secure cross-party support for her Motion celebrating World Rivers Day 2023, which was later chosen for debate.

More broadly, she has been active in supporting initiatives that overlap with the interests of sea trout, including: riparian woodland creation; improving water quality; reducing pollution and reducing the effects of the climate crisis.

• Read more about the Scottish Environment LINK award.
• Meet our Nature Champions.

Pictured left to right are: Josselyn Rizo Olguin (John Muir Trust), Dr Deborah Long (Scottish Environment LINK), Jackie Dunbar MSP with her award,  Jo Pike (Scottish Wildlife Trust) and Andrew Marks (Scottish Environment LINK).