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

16. Orkney Islands 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 44: Estimated Ecosystem Service Impacts of proposed fisheries management measures (over 20 years) for Orkney Region

Total value of changes in ecosystem services	Option 1 Min	Option 1 Max	Option 2 Min	Option 2 Max
Benefits	Minimal – Low	Minimal – Low	Minimal – Low	Minimal – Low
Costs	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Net Impacts	Small Benefit	Small Benefit	Small benefit	Small benefit

16.1. Site: Papa Westray NCMPA

Protected features:

• Black guillemot
• Marine Geomorphology of the Scottish Shelf Seabed

Marine Geomorphology of the Scottish Shelf Seabed is not discussed further as it is not a protected feature for which fisheries management measures are required.

Feature conditions:

• Black guillemot - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

• Black guillemot - Conserve

The proposed management measure for Papa Westray NCMPA is as follows:

Single Proposed Management Option:

• Full site closure to set nets (including fyke nets) and hydraulic dredge

A full site level of protection from the specified gear has been identified as the only suitable option in enabling the achievement of the desired level of protection for the feature in question.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Papa Westray NCMPA

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 45: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Papa Westray NCMPA

Environmental Impact	Single Proposed Management Option
Benefits within the sites/areas	Moderate beneficial
Spill over benefits	None
Displacement effects	None
Effects from other gear types	None
Estimated overall environmental impact	Benefit

16.2. Site: Faray and Holm of Faray SAC

Protected features:

• Grey Seal

Feature conditions:

• Grey Seal - Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

• Grey Seal - Restore

The proposed management measure for Faray and Holm of Faray SAC is as follows:

Single Proposed Management Option:

• Full site closure to set nets (including fyke nets) and pelagic seine (including ring-nets).

A full site level of protection from the specified gear has been identified as the only suitable option in enabling the achievement of the desired level of protection for the feature in question.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Faray and Holm of Faray SAC

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 46: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Faray and Holm of Faray SAC

Environmental Impact	Single Proposed Management Option
Benefits within the sites/areas	Minor beneficial
Spill over benefits	None
Displacement effects	None
Effects from other gear types	None
Estimated overall environmental impact	Benefit

16.3. Site: Calf of Eday SPA

Protected features:

• Cormorant - breeding
• Fulmar - breeding
• Great black-backed gull - breeding
• Guillemot - breeding
• Kittiwake - breeding

Feature conditions:

• Cormorant - Favourable
• Fulmar - Favourable
• Great black-backed gull - Unfavourable
• Guillemot - Unfavourable
• Kittiwake - Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

• Cormorant - Maintain
• Fulmar - Maintain
• Great black-backed gull - Restore
• Guillemot - Restore
• Kittiwake - Restore

The proposed management measures for Calf of Eday SPA are as follows:

Option 1:

• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited in areas shallower than 33m based on presence and maximum dive depth for cormorant.
• Demersal set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited from February till end of August, based on presence and maximum dive depth for guillemot, and pelagic set nets prohibited in areas deeper than 33m but shallower than 177m based on presence of cormorant.

• Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredge.

Option 2:

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

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Calf of Eday 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 47: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Calf of Eday 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

16.4. Site: Copinsay SPA

Protected features:

• Fulmar - breeding
• Great black-backed gull - breeding
• Guillemot - breeding
• Kittiwake - breeding

Feature conditions:

• Fulmar - Favourable
• Great black-backed gull - Unfavourable
• Guillemot - Unfavourable
• Kittiwake - Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

• Fulmar - Maintain
• Great black-backed gull - Restore
• Guillemot - Restore
• Kittiwake - Restore

The proposed management measures for Copinsay SPA are as follows:

Option 1:*

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

*This site will have other demersal mobile measures that may apply from the overlapping portions with the proposed PMF management area that aren’t shown on the map for this option.

• The proposed PMF management areas would prohibit all demersal mobile gear from the entire area that overlaps. (see section below for overlapping areas) (see section below for overlapping areas)

Please check the Option 1 or single management overlapping area map to see proposed demersal mobile measures under Option 1.

Option 2:*

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

*The measures for Option 2 proposals only come from gear types prohibited in non-overlapping areas. Overlapping restrictions may still apply from overlapping sites or areas dependent on the decisions taken for that site or area.

Overlapping sites and areas included in this consultation

This SPA overlaps with the Scapa Flow SPA and Copinsay (Orkney) proposed PMF management areas.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Copinsay 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 48: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Copinsay 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

16.5. Site: Hoy SPA

Protected features:

• Arctic skua – breeding
• Fulmar – breeding
• Great black-backed gull – breeding
• Great skua – breeding
• Guillemot – breeding
• Kittiwake – breeding
• Peregrine – breeding
• Puffin – breeding
• Red-throated diver – breeding

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

Feature conditions:

• Arctic skua - Unfavourable
• Fulmar - Unfavourable
• Great black-backed gull - Unfavourable
• Great skua - Unfavourable
• Guillemot - Unfavourable
• Kittiwake - Unfavourable
• Puffin - Unfavourable
• Red-throated diver - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

• Arctic skua - Restore
• Fulmar - Restore
• Great black-backed gull - Restore
• Great skua - Restore
• Guillemot - Restore
• Kittiwake - Restore
• Puffin - Restore
• Red-throated diver - Maintain

The proposed management measures for Hoy SPA are as follows:

Option 1:*

• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited February till mid-September in areas down to 21m based on presence and maximum dive depth for red-throated diver.
• Demersal set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited February till end of August and pelagic set nets prohibited February till mid-September in areas deeper than 21m but shallower than 177m based on presence of red-throated diver and guillemot and maximum dive depth for guillemot .
• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited in the overlapping area with Scapa Flow SPA.
• Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredge.

*This site will have other demersal mobile measures that may apply from the overlapping portions with the proposed PMF management areas, that aren’t shown on the map.

• The proposed PMF management areas would prohibit all demersal mobile gear from the entire area that overlaps. (see section below for overlapping areas) (see section below for overlapping areas)

Please check the overlapping area maps to see proposed demersal mobile measures.

Option 2*

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

*The measures for Option 2 proposals only come from gear types prohibited in non-overlapping areas. Overlapping restrictions may still apply from overlapping sites or areas dependent on the decisions taken for that site or area.

Overlapping sites and areas included in this consultation

This SPA overlaps with the Scapa Flow SPA and Hoy Sound (East) to South Walls (Orkney) and Hoy Sound (Orkney) proposed PMF management areas.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Hoy 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 49: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Hoy 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

16.6. Site: Marwick Head SPA

Protected features:

• Guillemot – breeding
• Kittiwake – breeding

Feature conditions:

• Guillemot – Unfavourable
• Kittiwake – Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

• Guillemot – Restore
• Kittiwake – Restore

The proposed management measures for Marwick Head 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 hydraulic dredge.

Option 2:

• Full site closure to set nets (including fyke nets) and hydraulic dredge.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Marwick Head 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 50: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Marwick Head 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

16.7. Site: North Orkney SPA

Protected features:

• Great northern diver - non-breeding
• Red-throated diver breeding
• Slavonian grebe - non-breeding
• Velvet scoter - non-breeding

Feature conditions:

• Great northern diver - Favourable
• Red-throated diver - Favourable
• Slavonian grebe - Favourable
• Velvet scoter - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

• Great northern diver - Maintain
• Red-throated diver - Maintain
• Slavonian grebe - Maintain
• Velvet scoter - Maintain

The proposed management measures for North Orkney SPA are as follows:

Option 1:*

• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited all year in areas down to 21m based on presence and maximum dive depth for red-throated diver.
• Demersal set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited September till mid-May and pelagic set nets prohibited in areas down to 35m (deeper than 21m but shallower than 35m). This is based on presence of red-throated diver, velvet scoter and great-northern diver and maximum dive depth for velvet scoter
• Demersal set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited October to mid-May and pelagic set nets prohibited based on presence of red-throated diver, velvet scoter and great-northern diver and maximum dive depth for great-northern diver.
• Longlines (until technical measures come into force) prohibited in overlapping areas with Rousay SPA
• Full site closure to hydraulic dredge.

*This site will have other demersal mobile measures that may apply from the overlapping portions with the proposed PMF management area that aren’t shown on the map for this option.

• The proposed PMF management areas would prohibit all demersal mobile gear from the entire area that overlaps. (see section below for overlapping areas)

Please check the Option 1 or single management overlapping area map to see proposed demersal mobile measures under Option 1.

Option 2*

• Full site closure to set nets (including fyke nets) and hydraulic dredge.

*The measures for Option 2 proposals only come from gear types prohibited in non-overlapping areas. Overlapping restrictions may still apply from overlapping sites or areas dependent on the decisions taken for that site or area.

Overlapping sites and areas included in this consultation

This SPA overlaps with the Rousay SPA and Orkney Sounds and Firths (south) proposed PMF management area.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for North Orkney SPA

Values 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.

cannot be disclosed for confidentiality reasons, as it relates to the operations of fewer than three vessels.

Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for North Orkney 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

16.8. Site: Rousay SPA

Protected features:

• Arctic skua – breeding
• Arctic tern – breeding
• Fulmar – breeding
• Guillemot – breeding
• Kittiwake – breeding

Feature conditions:

• Arctic skua – Unfavourable
• Arctic tern – Unfavourable
• Fulmar – Favourable
• Guillemot – Unfavourable
• Kittiwake – Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

• Arctic skua – Restore
• Arctic tern – Restore
• Fulmar – Maintain
• Guillemot – Restore
• Kittiwake – Restore

The proposed management measures for Rousay SPA are as follows:

Option 1:*

• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited February till end of August in areas down to 177m based on presence and maximum dive depth for guillemot.

• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited in areas that overlap with the North Orkney SPA.
• Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredge.

*This site will have other demersal mobile measures that may apply from the overlapping portions with the proposed PMF management area that aren’t shown on the map for this option.

• The proposed PMF management areas would prohibit all demersal mobile gear from the entire area that overlaps. (see section below for overlapping area)

Please check the Option 1 or single management overlapping area map to see proposed demersal mobile measures under Option 1.

Option 2:*

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

*The measures for Option 2 proposals only come from gear types prohibited in non-overlapping areas. Overlapping restrictions may still apply from overlapping sites or areas dependent on the decisions taken for that site or area.

Overlapping sites and areas included in this consultation

This SPA overlaps with the North Orkney SPA and Orkney Sounds and Firths (south) proposed PMF management area.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Rousay 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 51: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Rousay 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

16.9. Site: Scapa Flow SPA

Protected features:

• Black-throated diver - non-breeding
• Eider - non-breeding
• Great northern diver - non-breeding
• Long-tailed duck - non-breeding
• Red-breasted merganser - non-breeding
• Red-throated diver - breeding
• Shag - non-breeding
• Slavonian grebe - non-breeding

Feature conditions:

• Black-throated diver - Favourable
• Eider - Favourable
• Great northern diver - Favourable
• Long-tailed duck - Favourable
• Red-breasted merganser - Favourable
• Red-throated diver - Favourable
• Shag - Favourable
• Slavonian grebe - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

• Black-throated diver - Maintain
• Eider - Maintain
• Great northern diver - Maintain
• Long-tailed duck - Maintain
• Red-breasted merganser - Maintain
• Red-throated diver - Maintain
• Shag - Maintain
• Slavonian grebe - Maintain

The proposed management measures for Scapa Flow SPA are as follows:

Option 1:*

• Set nets including (fyke nets) prohibited in areas shallower than 64.5m based on the presence and maximum dive depth for shag
• Pelagic set nets prohibited in areas deeper than 64.5m based on the presence of shag

• Longlines (until technical measures come into force) prohibited in overlapping areas with Hoy and Copinsay SPAs
• Full site closure to hydraulic dredge.

*This site will have other demersal mobile measures that may apply from the overlapping portions with the proposed PMF management areas that aren’t shown on the map for this option.

• The proposed PMF management areas would prohibit all demersal mobile gear from the entire area that overlaps. (see section below for overlapping areas)

Please check the Option 1 or single management overlapping area maps to see proposed demersal mobile measures under Option 1.

Option 2:*

• Full site closure to set nets (including fyke nets) and hydraulic dredge.

*The measures for Option 2 proposals only come from gear types prohibited in non-overlapping areas. Overlapping restrictions may still apply from overlapping sites or areas dependent on the decisions taken for that site or area.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Scapa Flow 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 52: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Scapa Flow 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

16.10. Site: Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA

Protected features:

• Gannet - breeding
• Guillemot – breeding
• Leach’s petrel – breeding
• Puffin - breeding
• Shag – breeding
• Storm petrel – breeding

Feature conditions:

• Gannet - Favourable
• Guillemot - Favourable
• Leach's petrel - Unfavourable
• Puffin - Favourable
• Shag - Unfavourable
• Storm petrel – Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

• Gannet - Maintain
• Guillemot - Maintain
• Leach's petrel - Restore
• Puffin - Maintain
• Shag - Restore
• Storm petrel – Restore

NatureScot provided amalgamated season advice for this site but individual seasonality for species has been used to develop consultation options.

The proposed management measures for Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA are as follows:

Option 1:

• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited in areas shallower than 65m based on presence and maximum dive depth for shag.
• Demersal set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited February till end of August and pelagic set nets prohibited in areas deeper than 65m but shallower than 177m based on presence of guillemot and shag and maximum dive depth for guillemot.

• Full site closure to longlines (until technical measures come into force) and hydraulic dredge.

Option 2:

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

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Sule Skerry and Sule Stack 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 53: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Sule Skerry and Sule Stack 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

16.11. Site: West Westray SPA

Protected features:

• Arctic skua - breeding
• Arctic tern – breeding
• Fulmar – breeding
• Guillemot – breeding
• Kittiwake – breeding
• Razorbill – breeding

Feature conditions:

• Arctic skua - Unfavourable
• Arctic tern - Unfavourable
• Fulmar - Favourable
• Guillemot - Unfavourable
• Kittiwake - Unfavourable
• Razorbill - Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

• Arctic skua - Restore
• Arctic tern - Restore
• Fulmar - Maintain
• Guillemot - Restore
• Kittiwake - Restore
• Razorbill - Restore

The proposed management measures for West Westray SPA are as follows:

Option 1:

• Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited 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.

Option 2:

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

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for West Westray 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 54: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for West Westray 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