Scottish Government Launches Fisheries Management Consultation for 166 Sites

The Government of Scotland has launched a consultation to gather views on fisheries management measures for 166 protected sites and areas within the inshore marine region. The proposal includes 26 sites located in Shetland.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation provided an initial positive reaction to the plans. Chief Executive Elspeth Macdonald welcomed indications that expert assessments favor a zoned approach over blanket restrictions, which she described as disproportionate. Macdonald noted that because Scotland's inshore waters support a diverse industry, the consequences of the proposals will vary across different communities and fisheries.

The federation stated it will now examine the specific details of the proposals to determine if the measures are evidence-based and necessary before providing a final assessment.