Employer Description
Fidra is named after the island and wildlife haven, made famous by writer of Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson.
Founder, Dr Becky Gait initially brought together a group of parents and friends with a shared passion for the environment and expertise in science, public health, law, and finance. Living by the sea they were naturally concerned about plastic litter on local beaches and began to focus on the then little-known problem of nurdles – tiny pellets, used in the manufacture of plastic products, which wash up on our shores.
Becky formally established Fidra and the group launched The Great Nurdle Hunt in 2013– to document nurdle pollution and engage with industry and others. Dr Abi Entwistle and Michelle Sutherland were appointed as Trustees together with Becky and her husband, David Gait.
Fidra harnessed the concerns of people living around the Firth of Forth, highlighting the issue across Scotland and then further afield, and used an evidence-based approach to encourage and enable plastics producers, users, transporters, and trade associations to introduce best practice in plastic pellet management.
Whilst plastics pollution remains a key focus, we have grown our capacity and expanded our remit and now actively work on threats to the environment from pollution and habitat degradation. We are continually scoping new projects on emerging issues, working with government, industry and the public to deliver pragmatic, evidence-based solutions.
Fidra uses scientific evidence and research best practice to achieve positive environmental change and depends upon the talent and dedication of its team of highly skilled staff to scope and deliver its projects.
The Trustees continue to play an instrumental role in growing and shaping the organisation and are closely and actively involved in determining its strategic direction.
