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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

7.3. Site: Eileanan agus Sgeiran Lios mór SAC

Protected features:

  • Harbour seal

Feature conditions:

  • Harbour seal - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

  • Harbour seal – Maintain

The proposed management measure for Eileanan agus Sgeiran Lios mór SAC is as follows:

Single Proposed Management Option:*

  • Full site closure to set nets (including fyke nets), pelagic seine and ring nets
  • Hydraulic dredge would be prohibited in overlapping areas with the Inner Hebrides and the Minches SAC from proposed measures and is already prohibited in overlapping areas with the Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura NCMPA from management measures already in place.

*Set nets (including fyke nets) are also already prohibited in in overlapping areas with the Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura NCMPA from management measures already in place.

Figure 4. Map of measures proposed:

Single option map of Eileanan agus Sgeiran Lios mor Special Area of Conservation (SAC), five discrete areas surrounding islands and skerries around Lismore. The three southern areas overlap with Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura and the Inner Hebrides and Minches SACs, where set nets (including fyke ents) and hydraulic dredges are already prohibited. Set nets (including fyke nets) are also prohibited in the northern areas. Pelagic Seine (including ring nets) are prohibited throughout the whole site.

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 Eileanan agus Sgeiran Lios mór 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 4: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Eileanan agus Sgeiran Lios mór 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

7.4. Site: South-East Islay Skerries SAC

Protected features:

  • Harbour seal

Feature conditions:

  • Harbour seal - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

  • Harbour seal – Maintain

The proposed management measure for South-East Islay Skerries SAC is as follows:

Single Proposed Management Option:*

  • Full site closure to set nets (including fyke nets), pelagic seines, and ring nets.

Figure 5. Map of measures proposed:

Single option map of South-East Islay Skerries Special Area of Conservation (SAC) a straight edged area extending from the Islay coast, with only small parts of the edges deeper than 20m. The full site is closed to pelagic seine (including ring-nets) and set nets (including fyke 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.

*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 area 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.

Overlapping area included in this consultation

This SAC overlaps with Loch a' Chnuic and Ardilistry (Islay) proposed PMF management area.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for South-East Islay Skerries 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 5: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for South-East Islay Skerries 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

7.5. Site: Coll and Tiree SPA

Protected features:

  • Eider - non-breeding
  • Great northern diver - non-breeding

Feature conditions:

  • Eider - Favourable
  • Great northern diver - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

  • Eider - Maintain
  • Great northern diver - Maintain

The proposed management measures for Coll and Tiree SPA are as follows.

Option 1:

  • Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited all year in areas down to 60m based on presence and maximum dive depth of eider
  • In areas deeper than 60m, demersal set nets prohibited from April till end of October due to overlap with the Sea of the Hebrides NCMPA and pelagic set nets prohibited due to presence of all protected features
  • Full site closure to hydraulic dredge.

Figure 6. Map of measures proposed under option 1:

Map shows Coll and Tiree SPA, an area surrounding Tiree and extending up the north coast of Coll. Most of the area is shallower than 60m. Small slivers of the southeastern edge, the northwestern tip, and the area north of Coll being deeper than 60m. In areas shallower than 60m set nets (including fyke nets) are prohibited. In deeper areas demersal set nets prohibited April till end of October and pelagic set nets are prohibited year round. Hydraulic dredge is prohibited throughout the site.

Option 2:

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

Figure 7. Map of measures proposed under option 2:

Map shows Coll and Tiree SPA, an area surrounding Tiree and extending up the north coast of Coll. Set nets (including fyke nets), and hydraulic dredges are prohibited throughout the site.

Overlapping sites included in this consultation

This SPA overlaps with the Sea of the Hebrides NCMPA and Inner Hebrides and the Minches SAC.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Coll and Tiree 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 6: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Coll and Tiree 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

7.6. Site: Sound of Gigha SPA

Protected features:

  • Eider - non-breeding
  • Great northern diver - non-breeding
  • Red-breasted merganser - non-breeding
  • Slavonian grebe - non-breeding

Feature conditions:

  • Eider - Favourable
  • Great northern diver - Favourable
  • Red-breasted merganser - Favourable
  • Slavonian grebe - Favourable

Conservation objectives:

  • Eider - Maintain
  • Great northern diver - Maintain
  • Red-breasted merganser - Maintain
  • Slavonian grebe - Maintain

The proposed management measures for Sound of Gigha SPA are as follows.

Option 1:*

  • Set nets (including fyke nets) prohibited in areas down to 60m based on presence and maximum dive depth of eider.
  • Pelagic set nets prohibited in areas deeper than 60m based on presence of all species.
  • Full site closure to hydraulic dredges.

Figure 8. Map of measures proposed under option 1:

Map shows Sound of Gigha SPA, an area of waters running from Machrihanish in the south to the mouth of Loch Caolisport in the north, extending seawards to take in the waters surrounding Gigha. Almost all of the site is shallower than 60m, with only a small sliver northwest of Gigha being deeper. In this deeper area pelagic set nets are prohibited. In the rest of the site set nets (including fyke nets) are prohibited. Hydraulic dredges are prohibited throughout the site.

*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 dredges

Figure 9. Map of measures proposed under option 2:

Map shows Sound of Gigha SPA, an area of waters running from Machrihanish in the south to the mouth of Loch Caolisport in the north, extending seawards to take in the waters surrounding Gigha. Set nets (including fyke nets), and hydraulic dredges are prohibited throughout the site.

* 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 Inner Hebrides and the Minches SAC, West Loch Tarbert (Kintyre), Gigha North-east and Gigha South proposed PMF management areas.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for Sound of Gigha 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 7: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for Sound of Gigha 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

7.7. Site: North Colonsay and Western Cliffs SPA

Protected features:

  • Chough - breeding and non-breeding
  • Guillemot – breeding
  • Kittiwake - breeding

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

Feature conditions:

  • Guillemot – Favourable
  • Kittiwake – Unfavourable

Conservation objectives:

  • Guillemot – Maintain
  • Kittiwake - Restore

The proposed management measures for North Colonsay and western 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 of guillemot.
  • Full site closure to hydraulic dredges

Figure 10. Map of measures proposed under option 1:

Map shows North Colonsay and Western Cliffs SPA, an area of waters immediately off the northern and northwestern coast of Colonsay. The entire site is less than 177m deep. Throughout the site set nets (including fyke nets) are prohibited February to end August, while hydraulic dredges are prohibited year-round.

Option 2:

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

Figure 11. Map of measures proposed under option 2:

Map shows North Colonsay and Western Cliffs SPA, an area of waters immediately off the northern and northwestern coast of Colonsay. The entire site is less than 177m deep. Throughout the site set nets (including fyke nets) and hydraulic dredges are prohibited year-round.

Overlapping sites included in this consultation

This SPA overlaps with the Inner Hebrides and the Minches SAC.

Estimated Socio-economic impacts of proposed measures for North Colonsay and Western Cliffs 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 8: Estimated Environmental impacts of proposed fisheries management measures for North Colonsay and Western Cliffs 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

Contact

Email: marine_biodiversity@gov.scot

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