Clyde Seasonal Closure 2026 - no islands communuties impact assessment needed declaration

Step Three - Consultation

Is there information already gathered through previous engagements?

Yes. The Scottish Government has undertaken rounds of engagement during this and in previous years on the Clyde cod seasonal closure, including a full public consultation held from 31 July to 25 September 2025. This consultation sought views on the future management of the closure, the potential implementation of a Targeted Scientific Programme (TSP), and the balance between environmental protection and socio-economic impact. A total of 44 valid responses were received from individuals, fishing organisations, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.

The consultation was open to all affected communities, including those in island areas. However, no responses made specific reference to island communities or raised concerns that were unique to island-based fishers. Responses to the consultation were mixed between individuals and organisations, and between environmental / conservation groups and fisheries organisations. Feedback received reflected a range of views across stakeholder types but did not indicate any differentiated expectations, needs, or experiences between island and mainland respondents. The analysis report of the responses to the Clyde cod seasonal closure consultation was published in January 2025.

No concerns specific to island communities were raised in consultation responses.

How will you carry out your consultation and in what timescales? Public meetings/Local Authorities/key Stakeholders

Consultation on the Clyde cod seasonal closure was carried out between 31 July and 25 September 2025, in line with Scottish Government standards for public engagement. The consultation was designed to be inclusive, transparent, and accessible to all affected stakeholders, including those in island communities.

The consultation process included:

• Publication of a consultation paper outlining the background, scientific rationale, and proposed options for the seasonal closure, including the potential implementation of a Targeted Scientific Programme (TSP)^[4]
• Online response portal via Citizen Space, allowing stakeholders to submit views digitally, with the option to save and return to responses before the closing date
• Direct engagement with representative bodies including the Clyde Fishermen’s Association (CFA), and the Southwest RIFG, which represent both island and mainland fishers through co-management structures
• Targeted outreach via Marine Directorate local fishery offices, ensuring awareness and accessibility for fishers operating from remote and island ports
• Publication of supporting documents, including a partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) and references to relevant statutory instruments and scientific literature
• Follow-up analysis report to be published following the consultation period, summarising stakeholder views and identifying any differentiated impacts or concerns

The consultation was open for eight weeks, providing sufficient time for stakeholders in island communities to participate. No barriers to participation were identified, and no island-specific concerns were raised in the responses received. The consultation did not focus on the policy’s specific application to islands and no concerns explicitly to do with islands were received.

What questions will you ask when considering how to address island realities?

While the consultation did not include questions explicitly framed around island-specific impacts in the Clyde region, it was structured to elicit views on potential differential effects across all communities, including islands. The following questions were included to help identify any such issues:

• ‘The Clyde Seasonal Closure should remain in place for 2026 and 2027 in the same location and during the same time period as in 2025’ This question invited views on the spatial and temporal scope of the closure, allowing respondents to highlight any localised concerns, including those specific to island communities.
• ‘What is your opinion of the option to carry out a three-year Targeted Scientific Programme (TSP)?’ This question sought feedback on the proposed evidence-gathering initiative, including the potential for collaborative data collection with island-based fishers.
• ‘Do you have any further views on alternative or complementary management measures?’ This open-ended question allowed stakeholders to propose locally tailored approaches, including exemptions or mitigations relevant to island realities.
• ‘Do you have views on the balance between environmental protection and the socio-economic benefits provided by our fishing industry?’ This question was designed to surface any concerns about disproportionate socio-economic impacts, including those affecting island communities.

Separate consultation events for Island communities/Local Authorities?

No separate consultation events were held exclusively for island communities or island-based local authorities in the Clyde region. However, the consultation was designed to be inclusive and accessible to all affected stakeholders, including those in island areas e.g., digital access via Citizen Space, enabling participation from remote and island locations.

The process ensured that island communities had full opportunity to engage. No island-specific concerns or differentiated impacts were raised in the responses received, and participation levels did not indicate any barriers to engagement for island stakeholders.