Youth Manifesto
for Scotland’s Seas
2026-2031
The Scottish Parliamentary elections are coming in 2026 and we wanted to make sure young people’s views on our marine environment were not left out.
The Youth Manifesto for Scotland’s Seas sets out key priorities for the next Scottish Government, shaped by what young people have told us is needed to secure healthy, thriving seas for the future.
A youth-led call to action to protect and restore Scotland’s seas
“We need this manifesto because decisions made today will shape the seas we inherit tomorrow. Young people deserve a say in how they are cared for, because it’s our future that’s at stake. This manifesto is our chance to show that protecting Scotland’s seas is urgent.”
Issie Jeffrey, YSCS Member
Explore the Manifesto
Young people across Scotland told us that the health of our seas matters deeply to them, with an overwhelming 97% of respondents saying it is important or very important. However, no young person rated the condition of Scotland’s seas as excellent, reflecting widespread concern about their current state. When asked which marine issues worried them most, climate change impacts on the ocean stood out as the number one concern, showing that young people see the climate crisis as the greatest threat to Scotland’s marine environment. We grouped what action young people want to see politicians to take into four priority areas:
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Ban destructive fishing in MPAs, including bottom-trawling and dredging, to safeguard sensitive species and habitats.
Properly manage and enforce MPAs, so they’re more than lines on a map.
Expand MPAs and No-Take Zones in ecologically important sites to protect biodiversity, blue carbon, and fish breeding grounds.
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Ban or limit single-use plastics and harmful plastic products, and introduce incentives or stronger policies to limit plastic use by businesses.
Hold industries accountable for fishing gear and other marine litter on our beaches, while monitoring and removing plastic from the sea.
Reduce sewage, farming, and aquaculture pollution through strict regulation, penalties, and measurable targets.
Encourage practical public action to prevent marine pollution and litter, with education in schools and communities.
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Support low-impact fisheries with subsidies and incentives, while penalising environmentally damaging and unsustainable practices.
Ensure transparent, science-based fisheries monitoring by requiring all vessels to use remote electronic systems.
Encourage shops and restaurants to sell a wider variety of fish to diversify seafood consumption.
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Embed ocean and climate education as part of the school curriculum, so every young person grows up understanding how their actions affect the sea and why a healthy marine environment is important for them.
Ensure every pupil has opportunities for hands-on marine learning.
Launch a national campaign to inform everyone how to behave responsibly in and around the sea, like Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code.
“I refuse to be undermined by voices that are older, louder, or more experienced. I have my own lived experience that many young people relate to.”
Want to see the full dataset or would like a different version of the document?
23-year-old, Edinburgh & Lothians
What happens next?
We will…
Share the Youth Manifesto widely
Call on MSP candidates to pledge to support young people’s marine policy priorities
Use findings to strengthen youth-led advocacy for Scotland’s marine environment
Contact your MSP
Whether you’re a young person, still young at heart or have young people in your life, we need YOU to get the manifesto out there and make sure MSP candidates take forwards young peoples asks into this crucial next parliamentary term.
Are you a decision-maker?
If you’re involved in marine policy decision-making, we need YOU to champion youth voices and support us to ensure their call for urgent action to protect our seas is heard loud and clear. Write to us if you want to be added to the list of pledges.
How we developed the manifesto
This manifesto has been shaped by the collective voice of young people in Scotland, gathered through an online national survey.
In total, we received 58 valid responses to our survey. We also engaged directly with 15 young people in round table workshops in Glasgow, Dundee and online.
The responses to both the survey and feedback from the workshops were analysed thematically to highlight the four key priority areas and associated policy asks.
Manifesto Working Group
We wanted to ensure the manifesto development process, from survey design and workshop facilitation to the analysis, write-up and launch, was informed by young people. We worked with a small group of our members (and our trainee) to co-design all parts of the process and make sure their ideas were embedded at every stage.
The policy choices we make today about managing and protecting our seas will have lasting consequences. If current trends continue, young people will inherit a world with degraded ecosystems, less biodiversity, and polluted waters. Young people have a right to have their voices heard in shaping the future they want for our seas.