In pictures: Scotland's marine wildlife

The public are invited to have their say on whether the ecosystem off Scotland's coastline should be protected, as part of the Scottish government's marine planning consultation.

The Scottish government has said it wants to hear public opinion on setting up marine protected areas in several sites off the coast. Picture: Anemones.
Marine Scotland, on behalf of the government, set out these objectives in the Planning Scotland's Seas document. The public consultation launched on 25 July 2013. Picture: Fireworks anemone.
The introduction of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas in Scotland's seas will add to the existing network of protected areas. Picture: Norwegian boundary sediment plain.
Proposed designated areas range from the Shetland Faroe sponge belt to the Barra fan in the west. There are 33 MPAs in the consultation covering marine habitats, wildlife and geology. Picture: Ocean quahog.
Marine Scotland on behalf of the Scottish government, Scottish Natural Heritage, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Historic Scotland and Sepa are partners in the Scottish MPA Project. Picture: Reef community.
A series of public meetings will be held to gauge public opinion on the proposals, beginning in Edinburgh on Monday 19 August. Picture: Scorpion fish.
The public consultation on Scotland's marine environment will close on 3 November 2013. More details can be found at: www.http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-consultation/events Picture: Serpulid worms.