Marine Fisheries

Fishing is of great cultural and economic importance in Scotland and it has an intimate relationship with the conservation of our marine natural heritage. A wide variety of fish and shellfish are sought throughout Scottish waters and fishing is acknowledged as one of the most significant influences on marine biodiversity. The productivity of the stocks is closely linked to the quality of the marine environment and the supply of fresh fish and shellfish is one of the most important services that the marine environment provides to the Scottish economy. As a result, there is considerable mutual interest between the management of fisheries and biodiversity.

Our approach to marine fisheries

Our aim is to improve the sustainability of Scottish fisheries and minimise the negative effects of fishing on marine species and habitats. We provide advice to the Scottish & UK Governments, the EU and others on the interactions between fishing and marine biodiversity. We work closely with a variety of partners including Marine Scotland  , Joint Nature Conservation Committee  , the other country conservation agencies and the fishing industry itself. While designated sites and species are a significant consideration our role also covers the wider marine environment around Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage believes there is considerable scope for positive changes in the management and operations of Scottish fisheries to deliver benefits for biodiversity and the healthy functioning of marine ecosystems. To that end, we believe that biodiversity considerations need to be effectively integrated in fishery management, that fishing needs to be integrated with the management of wider marine activities and that stakeholders need to be more closely engaged in the management process.

Our input to marine fisheries management

The management of fisheries occurs at a number of levels, ranging from an international to a local context. The management of fisheries in Scotland currently in a state of change resulting from a changes in management structures and legislation at EU, UK and Scottish levels, much of which is intended to achieve greater integration in the management of marine resources. 

Common Fisheries Policy (CFP): The Common Fisheries Policy  provides the main framework for fisheries management. Review of the CFP in 2002  brought changes that were intended to improve conservation of fish stocks and protection of the environment. These changes included an environmental objective, the introduction of longer term planning (both management and recovery plans) and facilitating the engagement of stakeholders through the establishment of Regional Advisory Councils   (RACs). The RACs of particular importance to Scotland are North Sea   RAC, the North-Western Waters  RAC and the Pelagic RAC  . Work has already started on the next 2012 CFP review  .

In Scotland the Scottish Fisheries Council  (SFC) was established in 2008 as a forum for communication between Scottish Government and all sectors and organisations with an interest in commercial sea fisheries. Scottish Natural Heritage is represented on the main council and relevant sub-groups which have been formed for the development of species-specific commercial strategies (e.g. the Scottish Scallop Strategy  ; the Crab & Lobster Strategy  ).

Another important forum in which Scottish Natural Heritage participates is the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group  (SIFAG). Formed in 1999 to improve stakeholder participation in inshore fisheries management, SIFAG has a broad membership of industry and officials. SIFAG has been key in the development of the 2005 Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland  , which in turn has led to the establishment Inshore Fishery Groups  (IFGs). A total of 12 IFGs have been proposed with the first 6 being set up in 2009. Scottish Natural Heritage provides input via our representation on each IFG Advisory Group.

There are a variety of other inshore initiatives in which Scottish Natural Heritage has an involvement. There are currently two Regulating Orders in Scotland which are in place to deliver the management of certain species of shellfish. These are in Shetland    (via the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation) and the Solway    (via the Solway Shellfish Management Association).