A GREENOCK marine biologist is casting her campaign to save sealife closer to home.

Sam McFarlane, who works for the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, has been running fishing lessons from Custom House Quay for children in her home town.

Now she hopes to pass her passion for what lies beneath our waters on to local youngsters.

Sam, 29, who lives in Weymouth Crescent, said: “We work all over Scotland but I am from Greenock so I wanted to do it here, in my home town.

“I am delighted at the response.

“I first fell in love with marine life when I was rock pooling at Lunderston Bay. That’s how I got involved.

“I am so passionate about it and I want to pass it on. 

“We do work in schools as well.

“I had a baby girl 12 weeks ago but I care so much about it I came back to work to do the sessions.”

Former Greenock Academy pupil Sam studied marine biology at Glasgow University and is now devoted to saving the waters around Scotland.

At the Custom House Sam and her colleague Marek Wolf were showing families how to fish, and giving them an insight into life under the sea.

Sam said: “The network was set up by a group of fishermen who are concerned with preserving our fish population.

“They want to promote fishing with conservation in mind.

“Commercial fishing has depleted our stocks and if we don’t do something now there will be no more fish in our waters for future generations to enjoy.”

Dad Tony Docherty brought his son Josh, seven, and he was quickly hooked.

He said: “Josh has been asking to try it for a long time so this was a great opportunity.”

Mum Laura Caldwell and her three daughters Eva, Eden and Bethany Bryceland were keen to get involved too.
Eden, eight, said: “I am excited trying to catch a fish.”