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Publication - Factsheet

Fisheries Management Measures within Scottish Inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) Management Areas - High level Site Summary Details and Potential Impacts of Proposed Fisheries Management Measures

Published
14 September 2026
From
Director of Marine
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries
ISBN
9781806432943

Overview of site and area details and potential impacts of the proposed fisheries management measures within Scottish Inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas

Supporting documents

13. North Coast Scottish Marine Region MPAs

Due to the complexity and large number of areas and sites, ecosystem services data has been produced at a regional level, allowing for a more consistent assessment across wider geographical scales while still capturing key variations in ecological, social, and economic value.

Table 35: Estimated Ecosystem Service Impacts of proposed fisheries management measures (over 20 years) for North Coast Region

Total value of changes in ecosystem services

Option 1 Min

Option 1 Max

Option 2 Min

Option 2 Max

Benefits

Low

Low

Low

Low

Costs

Minimal

Minimal

Minimal

Minimal

Net Impacts

Small Benefit

Small Benefit

Small Benefit

Small Benefit

13.1. Site: Cape Wrath SPA

Protected features:

  • Fulmar - breeding
  • Guillemot - breeding
  • Kittiwake - breeding
  • Puffin - breeding
  • Razorbill - breeding

Feature conditions:

  • Fulmar - Unfavourable
  • Guillemot - Favourable
  • Kittiwake - Unfavourable
  • Puffin - Unfavourable
  • Razorbill - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

  • Fulmar - Restore
  • Guillemot - Maintain
  • Black - legged kittiwake - Restore
  • Puffin - Restore
  • Razorbill - Maintain

The proposed management measures for Cape Wrath SPA are as follows:

Option 1:

  • Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited from February till end of August in areas down to 177m based on presence and maximum dive depth for guillemot.
  • Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredge.

Figure 63. Map of measures proposed under option 1:

Map shows Cape Wrath SPA, which covers the Cape Wrath headland and Clo Mor cliffs as well as the nearby coastline and stacks. Throughout the SPA set nets (including fyke nets) are prohibited from February to the end of August, with year round prohibition for longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredges.

Option 2:

  • Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force), set nets (including fyke nets) and hydraulic dredge.

Figure 64. Map of measures proposed under option 2:

Map shows Cape Wrath SPA, which covers the Cape Wrath headland and Clo Mor cliffs as well as the nearby coastline and stacks. Throughout the SPA set nets (including fyke nets), longlines (until technical measures come into force), and hydraulic dredges are prohibited.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Cape Wrath SPA

No socio-economic impacts are anticipated for this site, based on available data in relation to:

  • Average annual loss in value of landings (£000s, 2022 prices)
  • Direct + indirect reduction in GVA (PV) impact (£000s) 20 years

Average (mean) number of direct + indirect jobs (year on year, over 20 years), Full Time Equivalents

Table 36: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Cape Wrath SPA

Environmental Impact

Option 1

Option 2

Benefits within the sites/areas

Moderate beneficial

Moderate beneficial

Spill over benefits

None

None

Displacement effects

None

None

Effects from other gear types

None

None

Estimated overall environmental impact

Benefit

Benefit

13.2. Site: North Caithness Cliffs SPA

Protected features:

  • Fulmar - breeding
  • Guillemot - breeding
  • Kittiwake - breeding
  • Peregrine - breeding
  • Puffin - breeding
  • Razorbill - breeding

Peregrine are not discussed further as they are not a protected feature for which fisheries management measures are required.

Feature conditions:

  • Fulmar - Favourable
  • Guillemot - Favourable
  • Kittiwake - Unfavourable
  • Puffin - Unfavourable
  • Razorbill - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

  • Fulmar - Maintain
  • Guillemot - Maintain
  • Kittiwake - Restore
  • Puffin - Restore
  • Razorbill – Maintain

The proposed management measures for North Caithness Cliffs SPA are as follows:

Option 1:

  • Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited from February till end of August in areas down to 177m based on presence and maximum dive depth for guillemot.
  • Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredge.

Figure 65. Map of measures proposed under option 1:

Map shows North Caithness Cliffs SPA, five separate areas on the far north-east coast of Scotland. These areas cover the seas around: Duncansby Head, Dunnet Head, Holburn Head, Stroma, and the seas between Sandside and Portskerra. All of these areas are shallower than 177m. Across these areas set nets (including fyke nets) are prohibited February to end of August. Across these areas longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredges are prohibited year-round.

Option 2:

  • Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force), set nets (including fyke nets) and hydraulic dredge.

Figure 66. Map of measures proposed under option 2:

Map shows North Caithness Cliffs SPA, five separate areas on the far north-east coast of Scotland. These areas cover the seas around: Duncansby Head, Dunnet Head, Holburn Head, Stroma, and the seas between Sandside and Portskerra. All of these areas are shallower than 177m. Across these areas set nets (including fyke nets), longlines (until technical measures come into force), and hydraulic dredges are prohibited year-round.
Table 37: Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for North Caithness Cliffs SPA

Socio-Economic Impact

Option 1

Option 2

Average annual loss in value of landings (£000s, 2022 prices)

0.8 - 1.1

1.8 - 2.1

Direct + indirect reduction in GVA (PV) impact (£000s) 20 years

8.6 - 10.5

20.1 - 22

Average (mean) number of direct + indirect jobs (year on year, over 20 years), Full Time Equivalents

0 - 0

0 - 0
Table 38: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for North Caithness Cliffs SPA

Environmental Impact

Option 1

Option 2

Benefits within the sites/areas

Major beneficial

Major beneficial

Spill over benefits

Negligible beneficial

Negligible beneficial

Displacement effects

Negligible adverse

Negligible adverse

Effects from other gear types

Negligible adverse

Negligible adverse

Estimated overall environmental impact

Benefit

Benefit

Contact

Email: marine_biodiversity@gov.scot

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