First minister hails new marine science centre

Scottish Oceans Institute ‘will have global impact’

A new marine science centre in St Andrews will make its mark globally, according to Scotland’s first minister.

The £16.5 million Scottish Oceans Institute building at St Andrews University stands on the site of the original Gatty Marine Laboratory, which opened in 1896.

As she officially opened it yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said: “This centre and the work that happens here will have an impact right across the world.”

The building overlooking the East Sands boasts a state-of-the-art aquarium and research and teaching facilities.

It will create a global hub for marine research by bringing scientists into one building, accommodating visiting experts, enhancing facilities for outreach work and providing education at its visitor centre.

Ms Sturgeon said: “We know that protecting the marine environment is something that is more important now than ever before; how we protect our marine environment from the dangers of climate change but also how we use our oceans to help us tackle climate change.

“The diversity of work going on here, the quality of that work and the relevance it has not just to what we are trying to achieve here in Scotland but the relevance internationally is awesome.”

Research at the Scottish Oceans Institute ranges from the deep oceans to the coasts and from people who use the sea to the biological and physical processes of oceans.

In 1996, the world-leading Sea Mammal Research Unit transferred to St Andrews from the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge.

University principal Professor Sally Mapstone said: “The facilities at the new centre of excellence will further enhance St Andrews’ world standing in the field of marine sciences research and advanced teaching, and will provide wonderful opportunities too for our local community and our visitors.”

Ms Sturgeon was also able to toast the new facility during a visit to St Andrews Brewing Company, marking its recent expansion as a result of a crowdfunding campaign.

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laughs as North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins pours a glass of beer at St Andrews Brewing Company.