Inshore fisheries management
Fishing communities are an important and integral part of Scottish rural life. Fishing makes a valuable contribution to Scotland’s economy and is woven into Scotland’s culture and heritage. We aim to create more, better paid jobs in a strong sustainable economy, build a fairer Scotland through tackling inequalities and empower people and communities.
Our vision is to support the development of a more sustainable, profitable and well-managed inshore fisheries sector in Scotland. We aim to do this by modernising the management of our inshore fisheries in Scotland and reaping long-term sustainable rewards for the inshore sector, the marine environment and our coastal communities.
Modernisation of the inshore fleet
The Modernisation of the Inshore Fleet programme is a Programme for Government Commitment aimed to deliver some of the key objectives of the Future fisheries: management strategy - 2020 to 2030.
The key commitment is to more effectively monitor fishing in inshore waters by deploying appropriate and proportionate vessel tracking and Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) technology across Scotland’s commercial inshore fleet. Scotland’s scallop dredge fleet and vessels with an overall length of 12 meters and under are within the scope of the Programme.
Inshore fisheries pilots
The aim of the Inshore Fisheries Pilots initiative is to look at alternative forms of inshore fisheries management. Marine Scotland is implementing proposals developed by the commercial fishing industry, with the intention of investigating:
- a localised approach to fisheries management, where fishing interests will be involved in developing distinct local arrangements
- the consequences of separating different methods of fishing, such as creeling (e.g. static gear and mobile gear) within specified areas
Find out more about inshore fisheries pilots.
Regional Inshore Fisheries Group (RIFG) network
The RIFG network comprises 6 national groups giving commercial fishers a forum to explore local fisheries management initiatives and a strong voice in matters that affect them.
The six groups are:
- Southwest Coast
- Northwest and North coast
- East Coast
- Outer Hebrides
- Orkney
- Shetland
The RIFG facilitates engagement and discussion with fishing and fish processing businesses of all sizes, and with particular emphasis on reaching those who are not members of fishing associations. Each region holds regular meetings, encouraging as wide attendance as possible. The subject matter is tailored to provide fishers information on national matters which affect them, and to address region-specific issues. The RIFG network maintains an Operational Plan which offers insights into their annual activity.
In 2023 we carried out a refresh of our RIFG network, building towards a substantive review which concluded in early 2025. We have made changes to the network following its review, and will consider further changes as required by the development of our Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement (IFMI) Programme.
The RIFG Chairs sit on the national Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) Inshore subgroup for commercial fishing interests and attend meetings of other national groups as required.
Read more on the RIFG network.
Unlicensed (hobby) fishermen
From 17 April 2017 New regulations restrict the numbers of certain shellfish species that can be taken by unlicensed fishing boats on a daily basis.
Find out more about Unlicensed (Hobby) Fishermen.
Wild wrasse fishery access
We control access to the wild wrasse fishery through a specific application process. Read the guidance on application for a letter of derogation relating to fishing for wild wrasse to find out more.
Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement (IFMI) Programme
The IFMI programme seeks to develop a more agile and responsive approach to inshore fisheries management that balances economic, social and environmental outcomes, consistent with our fisheries management strategy 2020-2030 and UK Fisheries Act 2020 objectives.
The IFMI programme will consider a structure that enables:
- a greater focus on strategic decision making both regionally and nationally
- improved management of fishing activity within the space available
- an agile response to new scientific data, challenges and opportunities using a co-management approach
Inshore fisheries management framework development
We held a 12 week call for evidence from 26 November 2024 to gather evidence and understand the views of our stakeholders. We will use a co-management approach to deliver this step-change in management for all commercial fisheries within Scotland’s inshore seas. We have published an analysis report of responses (June 2025), along with the responses themselves where permission has been given to do this. These will be considered along with other evidence sources to inform the development of a new inshore fisheries management framework.
We will engage with stakeholders through our existing networks to develop proposals ahead of consultation in early 2026. We intend to begin implementation later in 2026.
Interim measures
Interim measures introduced in May 2024 were a first step in our Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement (IFMI) Programme. They aimed at applying short-term protections to our crab and lobsters stocks, as a first step in our overarching IFMI Programme. These were reviewed during 2024/25 and changes implemented from 31 May 2025. They now consist of the following:
- a national prohibition on landing of berried crab and lobster
- restrictions on the most powerful category of crab vessel in our inshore waters (sometimes referred to as supercrabbers)