Fisheries management measures within Scottish inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas (Fishing Gear)

Closes 18 Jan 2027

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General thoughts on fisheries management measures in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas

This page asks for your thoughts on fisheries management measures developed for MPAs and proposed PMF management areas on the whole. You will have the opportunity to respond to the measures proposed for specific sites and areas in the following pages.

There are a wide range of features in Scotland's seas that require protection and management. This range means different areas will be managed in different ways. These ways include designation as Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and Priority Marine Features (PMF) management areas. 

Each site and area has its own set of proposed measures, which you can learn about and respond to on that site or area page in this consultation.

How were the measures for MPAs developed?

The basis for the measures proposed for each MPA is the management advice for fishing activities provided by NatureScot. This can be found on Sitelink, a link to the relevant page is provided on each site specific page in this consultation.

The Fisheries Assessment for each site assesses the impacts from existing fishing activities on the protected features using the tests from the legislation relevant for the type of MPA being considered. The assessment looks at how the proposed measures address any impacts identified that could affect the conservation objectives of the MPA.

What is being proposed?

Two options are being considered for most sites and areas in the inshore region.

For Priority Marine Features (PMFs) these options will relate to the size of the area in which measures will apply.

  • Option 1 reflects a smaller footprint that reflects one, or a combination of evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations
  • Option 2 reflects a larger footprint that offers improved protection

For Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) the following points explain what the proposed options will typically mean.

  • Option 1 refers to zonal measures. These are measures that manage fishing activities within zones of the protected areas, rather than applying to the whole area. These zones are chosen to ensure the most vulnerable parts of a site are protected while minimising impact on fishing.
  • Option 2 refers to full site measures. These are measures that would apply to the whole of each site. These measures would ensure protection of the features of a given site by managing fishing activity across the site.

More detail is given on the measures proposed, the reasons why, and what each proposal means for each site in the consultation documents.

1. Do you support or oppose the proposed Option 1 fisheries management measures for inshore MPAs and proposed PMF management areas?
2. Do you have any comments on the proposed Option 1 zonal fisheries management measures? Please add your comments in the text box. Please provide any additional information or supporting evidence where available.
3. Do you support or oppose the proposed Option 2 fisheries management measures for inshore MPAs and proposed PMF management areas?
4. Do you have any comments on the proposed Option 2 full site fisheries management measures? Please add your comments in the text box. Please provide any additional information or supporting evidence where available.