- Supporting sustainable fisheries, coastal communities,
habitats and environment
Fishers, coastal communities, marine and environmental groups are
being invited to help shape the future management of Scotland's
seas.
A consultation has been published on proposals for fisheries
management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and
Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas in Scottish
waters.
The proposed measures aim to protect important habitats and
species while supporting sustainable fisheries and the coastal
communities that depend on healthy, productive seas.
The consultation covers more than 160 sites and areas across
inshore waters and will remain open until 18 January 2027, giving
people a longer than usual opportunity to share their views.
There will be 26 in person drop-in events around the coast of
Scotland and 17 online events for people to ask questions and
provide support in responding to the consultation.
Scotland's seas support a wealth of marine ecosystems. From
ancient maerl beds and flame shell reefs to seagrass meadows and
horse mussel beds, these habitats provide vital breeding, nursery
and feeding grounds for a variety of marine life, which in turn
support sustainable fisheries.
Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands said:
Fishing is woven into the identity of so much of Scotland,
sustaining families for generations, building local economies,
and shaping the rhythm of life in our coastal communities. We
know that any change to how our seas are managed touches
something deeper than policy: it touches people's homes, their
traditions, and their sense of place.
However, we also know that marine ecosystems across the world
face increasing pressures from climate change, ocean warming and
habitat loss - and Scotland is not immune to these challenges.
That's why I am determined to protect our oceans in a way that is
fair and ensures they remain a source of prosperity for the
nation, and especially for our island and coastal communities.
Our seas are a shared resource, and protecting them properly
means looking after fish stocks, habitats and the long-term
future of the very industries that rely on healthy marine
environments. Healthy seas are not separate from a healthy
fishing industry, they are the foundation of it.
The development of these proposals has been informed by years of
engagement, scientific evidence gathering and discussion with
representatives from the fishing industry, environmental
organisations, coastal communities, local authorities, and other
interested parties, meeting with them over 120 times in the last
four years. I am extremely grateful to them for their
contribution and look forward to continuing to work closely with
them throughout the consultation period and beyond to ensure that
we achieve an appropriate balance between environmental
protection and the social and economic wellbeing of our coastal
and island communities.
Given the scale and complexity of the proposals, covering more
than 160 sites and areas across Scotland's inshore waters, the
consultation has been extended beyond the standard duration and
will run until January next year and I urge everyone with an
interest to take part and help shape the future of our marine
environment.
Background
Proposed Fisheries Management
Measures in Scottish Inshore Marine Protected Areas and Proposed
Priority Marine Features Consultation
