Protecting shellfish in inshore waters
Landing controls for the crab and lobster fisheries
On 12 May 2024 and updated 31 May 2025, new landing controls were introduced that:
- prohibit a commercial fishing vessel from retaining onboard, landing, offering for sale or consigning a berried (egg bearing) lobster (Homarus gammarus)
- prohibit a commercial fishing vessel from retaining onboard, landing, offering for sale or consigning a berried (egg bearing) brown crab (Cancer pagurus)
- prohibit a commercial fishing vessel of greater than 14 metres overall length and 12 metres overall length, that caught over 200 tonnes of brown crab and/or lobster during any 12 month period(s) from 2020 onwards from deploying creels, pots or traps within any part of Scottish inshore waters (0-6 nautical miles), with the exception of the inshore waters surrounding St Kilda (Hirta and Boreray), Flannan Isles, Rockall, Sula Sgeir, North Rona, Sule Stack and Sule Skerry
We have produced a poster explaining the latest measures.
These measures are in addition to the landing controls for the Scottish crab and lobster fisheries which came into effect on 25 February 2018.
These measures have been brought into force following a public consultation that took place during 2016.
The Specified Crustaceans (Prohibition on Landing, Sale and Carriage) (Scotland) Order 2017.
Scallop conservation measures
Conservation measures for the Scottish king scallop fishery came into force on 1 June 2017:
Measure 1: Minimum Landing Size (MLS) Increase
- the minimum landing size (MLS) of king scallops was increased from 100 mm to 105 mm. This applies to all areas of Scotland apart from:
- the Irish Sea south of 55°N (where the MLS remains at 110 mm)
- Shetland, which has distinct management arrangements under the Shetland Regulating Order (where the MLS remains at 100 mm)
Measure 2: Dredge Number Restrictions
- vessels fishing inside 12 nautical miles of the Scottish coast will have to ensure that either:
- any tow bar deployed is no more than 7.5 metres in length and is capable of carrying no more than eight dredges per side
Or
- they have a remote electronic monitoring system installed that will allow Marine Directorate Compliance to inspect the number of dredges being used. Vessels with a system will be able to fish with up to eight dredges per side in the 0-6 nautical mile area, and with up to 10 dredges per side in the 6-12 nautical mile area
These management measures are the outcome of the Consultation on New Controls in the Scottish King Scallop Fishery 2014 which took place from 9 October 2014 to 26 January 2015. An analysis report was published in July 2015.
The consultation was informed by A Review of the Scottish Scallop Fishery. This was a report undertaken by Poseidon Consultants that considered:
- structure and performance of the fleet
- health of stocks
- current management and regulation
- environmental effects of the fishery
Interim measures for king scallop dredging in Scottish waters (2026)
From 00:00 on 2 August 2026 until 23:59 on 1 November 2026, scallop dredge vessels will be prohibited, through a licence condition, from deploying mechanical dredges to catch king scallops within Scottish inshore waters, from the baseline out to six nautical miles.
These measures are intended to prevent overfishing, reduce risks to scallop stocks and limit increased seabed disturbance.
The restriction applies to all UK and Isle of Man vessels that do not meet one of the following requirements:
- according to returns submitted to the Marine Directorate, the vessel has reported at least 60% of its king scallop catch value from Scottish waters between 2023 and 2025
- according to returns submitted to the Marine Directorate, the vessel has been active in Scottish waters for at least two years between 2020 and 2025*
*One qualifying year is defined as fishing activity for at least seven days in a calendar month, and for at least three months in that year.
The measures apply to Scottish inshore waters, from the baseline out to six nautical miles, as defined under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984. They do not replace or alter any existing restrictions. Vessels may continue scallop dredging beyond six nautical miles, subject to normal licensing requirements.
These are interim controls designed to address the anticipated displacement of fishing effort during 2026. After the measures expire on 1 November 2026, we will review the available evidence and work with those affected by the fishery to consider options for 2027 and beyond.
If you need more information about eligibility to fish for king scallops in Scottish waters, email inshore@gov.scot.