Marine and coastal policy

Saving seabirds in Scotland

Fisheries in Scotland

Danish fishing trawler surrounded by seabirds

Scotland is situated at the centre of some of the most productive - and most exploited - fishing grounds in the world. Like other human activities in Scotland's seas, commercial fishing by national and international fleets can have a significant impact on Scotland's biodiversity.

RSPB Scotland works with fisheries managers, fishing organisations and communities calling for an industry that is sustainable not only for target fish stocks but for all marine wildlife. RSPB Scotland is advocating this 'ecosystem approach' to fisheries to regional, national and European audiences.

Inshore fisheries

RSPB Scotland is partnering the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, Scottish Natural Heritage and regional fishing groups in implementing a new Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland. This will put control of inshore fisheries in the hands of local fishing communities, with advice from environmental, tourism and scientific interests.

Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGs) will be set up in each coastal area to develop sustainable management plans for commercial fisheries. The first IFG has been set up in the Outer Hebrides, where RSPB's local expertise can help ensure that fisheries in that area do not impact on wildlife hotspots.

Sea fisheries

Along with fishing organisations and other stakeholders, RSPB Scotland helped shape the Scottish Executive's Sustainable Framework for Scottish Sea Fisheries, which was published in 2005.

This strategy has its roots in Scotland's sustainable development commitments, and pledges to safeguard marine habitats and biodiversity. RSPB Scotland sits on the Fisheries Minister's Sea Fisheries Advisory and Reference Group to ensure that the strategy's Action Plan is carried out, within the deadlines set, to deliver sustainable fisheries for Scotland.

European fisheries

RSPB Scotland represents BirdLife International on the Executive Committee of the North West Waters Regional Advisory Council. Set up under the Common Fisheries Policy 2002 reforms, Regional Advisory Councils allow for greater participation by all those involved in fisheries, including environmental stakeholders.

We work within the North West Waters RAC to encourage an ecosystem approach to fisheries management by all European nations with fishing interests in the West of Scotland, Western Approaches, Celtic Sea and English Channel. We liaise with RSPB colleagues representing BirdLife International on the North Sea RAC, on issues affecting Scotland's east coast.

Last modified: 08 June 2007

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Downloads

Inshore fisheries regulation and management in Scotland: Meeting the challenges of Environmental Integration (572Kb)
Symes, D. and Ridgway, S. (2003). Report to assess how well the current system for managing Scotland's inshore fisheries is working in relation to the integration of environmental concerns into fisheries management.
Net loss - seabirds gain? (1.2Mb)
S.A. Reeves and R.W. Furness (2002). Implication of fisheries management for seabirds scavenging discards in the northern north Sea.
Feeding the fish: Sustainable fish feed and Scottish aquaculture (441Kb)
Huntington, T.C. (2004). Report examining the sustainability of fish feeds used in the Scottish finfish aquaculture industry, and to make recommendations on how the industry and the Scottish Executive can work towards a more sustainable aquaculture industry in Scotland.