Clyde Seasonal Closure 2026 - business regulatory impact assessment

Engagement and information gathering

Internal SG engagement and engagement with wider Public Sector

Internal Scottish Government engagement

Colleagues within the Marine Directorate including science, conservation, fisheries management policy and compliance have been consulted. This has included consideration of:

• Scientific research.
• Landed catch and value data.
• Boardings and sightings data.
• Information on related policy projects.

UK / Devolved Administrations

This is a regionalised policy and though wider UK fishers will have an interest in this area, vessels active in the area are predominantly Scottish.

Wider Public Sector

Local authorities have an interest in this policy and engagement with them forms part of the work carried out by the Regional Inshore Fisheries Group (RIFG) network.

International

There are no direct international implications for this policy. However, overall management of the Northern Shelf cod stock is shared with the EU and Norway. Parties will meet in the autumn to agree a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and other management measures for the stock.

Business / Third Sector engagement

Throughout the consultation period, the RIFG network, the Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) groups as well as representative fishing associations engaged with affected fishers to encourage participation and ensure their views are represented.

Many of the fishers impacted by the policy are represented by the Clyde Fishermen’s Association (CFA), who maintain a regular dialogue with the Marine Directorate.

In October 2025, the Marine Directorate engaged with academics representing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) whose research includes cod in the Clyde.

We regard this kind of balanced engagement as being critical to development of this policy (in particularly our targeted scientific programme) and will continue routine engagement, as well of sharing of relevant information to support the TSP.

Public consultation

A public consultation on the Clyde Seasonal Closure ran from 31 July 2025 until 25 October 2025 seeking views on our approach for the period 2026 - 2028. A total of 44 responses were received, comprising 19 individuals and 25 organisations, reflecting broad interests from fishers, industry representatives, conservation groups, community bodies, and scientific or neutral respondents. It should be noted that responses were interpreted in balance, recognising that organisational submissions often reflect the views of multiple members or sectors and therefore carry broader representational weight.

The consultation outlined proposals and explored stakeholder views on:

• If the Clyde Seasonal Closure should remain in place as it stands for 2026 and 2027.
• If the current timing and location is appropriate to protect spawning cod.
• Improving the scientific evidence base by carrying out a three-year programme.
• Use of a Scottish Statutory Instrument to cover the scientific programme duration.
• Collaborative working with local fishers to gather scientific evidence.
• Returning to the old Clyde Seasonal Closure area, duration and exemptions.
• Alternative or complementary strategies to protect cod spawning in the Firth of Clyde.
• The balance of environmental and socio-economic obligations.

Qualitative analysis of consultation responses identified six overarching themes:

• Management measures,
• Socio-economic impacts,
• Evidence and science,
• Process and engagement,
• Environmental outcomes, and
• Balancing environmental and socio-economic priorities.

Some respondents emphasised protecting spawning cod while also stressing the need to minimise socio-economic impacts, particularly on smaller fishing communities. There was broad support for adaptive and targeted management, co-designed with industry and informed by real-time evidence.

Open-text responses added nuance to these findings, with repeated calls for greater transparency, better alignment with spawning activity, and genuine collaboration between government, fishers, and scientists. While positions differed on specific regulatory options, there was clear alignment on key principles: credible science, and balanced management. Conservation was another key principle highlighted however this was polarised, some responses calling for a very balanced approach or to minimise socio-economic impacts whilst others sought the highest level of protection for Clyde cod.