We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Factsheet

Fisheries Management Measures within Scottish Inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) Management Areas - Site and Area Proposal Document

Published
14 September 2026
From
Director of Marine
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries
ISBN
9781806432950

This document describes the process, justification and evidence used to develop site and area specific fisheries management measures. It outlines key information for each site and area including their features, and risks of potential pressures.

Supporting documents

20. Proposed PMF management areas in the Clyde marine region

20.1 Ardlamont Point (Cowal) proposed PMF management area

20.1.1 Description and background

Ardlamont Point (Cowal) proposed PMF management area covers the waters on the southern edge of Ardlamont Point on the Cowal peninsula. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds; and
  • Maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers

20.1.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.1.3 Options under consideration

Two options have been developed for this for this PMF management area. Option 1 reflects a smaller footprint that reflects one, or a combination of evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations. Option 2 covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Option 1: This boundary covers a smaller footprint more closely following depths suitable for maerl beds and accommodating additional fishing activity data where possible.

Figure 143. Ardlamont Point (Cowal) proposed PMF management area Option 1*
Map shows area to be protected surrounding the tip of Ardlamont point, following the coastline westwards a short way past Ardlamont house. Maerl bed records exist throughout the area, with a significant concentration in the southeast, alongside a maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers record.

*The maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers record is amongst the large cluster of maerl bed records.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Figure 144. Ardlamont Point (Cowal) proposed PMF management area Option 2*
Map showing area to be protected extending from the waters around the tip of Ardlamont point northwest to the coast to the west of Ardlamont house. This area extends further from the coast than option 1. Maerl bed records exist throughout the area, with a significant concentration in the southeast, alongside a maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers record.

*The maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers record is amongst the large cluster of maerl bed records.

20.1.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.2 Gourock (Inverclyde) proposed PMF management area

20.2.1 Description and background

Gourock (Inverclyde) proposed PMF management area covers a discrete area immediately off the coast of Gourock. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Horse mussel beds

20.2.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.2.3 Options under consideration

Two options have been developed for this for this PMF management area. Option 1 reflects a smaller footprint that reflects one, or a combination of evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations. Option 2 covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Option 1: Smaller footprint to accommodate additional fishing data provided around the edges of the area, whilst giving sufficient buffers for the features.

Figure 145. Gourock (Inverclyde) proposed PMF management area Option 1
Map shows a small rectangular area off the coast of Gourock where measures will apply. Two horse mussel records are evident towards the centre of the area.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Figure 146. Gourock (Inverclyde) proposed PMF management area Option 2
Map shows a rectangular area off the coast of Gourock where measures will apply, this extends slightly further into the sea than option 1. Two horse mussel records are evident towards the centre of the area.

20.2.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.3 Inchmarnock (Bute)

20.3.1 Description and background

Inchmarnock proposed PMF management area surrounds the island of Inchmarnock near Bute. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

There are also flame shell bed records present, but they were not a focus for area selection as further work is needed to confirm its status.

20.3.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.3.3 Options under consideration

Two options have been developed for this for this PMF management area. Option 1 reflects a smaller footprint that reflects one, or a combination of evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations. Option 2 covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Option 1: This boundary covers a smaller footprint more closely following extent of known PMFs and depths suitable for maerl beds, and accommodating fishing data provided whilst protecting the PMF records.

Figure 147. Inchmarnock (Bute) proposed PMF management area Option 1
Map shows area to be protected extending down the west coast of Inchmarnock round the southern tip and out into the waters to the southeast. Maerl bed records are evident throughout the area, especially in the northwest and open waters in the southeast. A flame shell bed record is present in the southeast.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Figure 148. Inchmarnock (Bute) proposed PMF management area Option 2
Map showing the area to be protected encircling Inchmarnock and the waters to the southeast. Maerl bed records are evident throughout the area, especially in the northwest and open waters in the southeast. A flame shell bed record is present in the southeast.

20.3.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.4 Kyles of Bute proposed PMF management area

20.4.1 Description and background

Kyles of Bute proposed PMF management area covers the Eastern Kyle of Bute, from Fearnoch to Glaic. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

There are also intertidal blue mussel records present, but they were not considered part of this process due to there being no overlaps with bottom-contacting fisheries and intertidal mussel beds.

20.4.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.4.3 Options under consideration

Two options have been developed for this for this PMF management area. Option 1 reflects a smaller footprint that reflects one, or a combination of evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations. Option 2 covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Option 1: This boundary covers a smaller footprint, excluding the very degraded maerl bed records in the southeast and the deeper muddy and mixed sediment habitats in the central channel and accommodates additional fishing data that was provided whilst protecting the PMF records.

Figure 149. Kyles of Bute proposed PMF management area Option 1
Map showing the area to be protected extending from the northwest of the Kyle down past Colintravie. Maerl bed records exist in the northwest, with blue mussel beds evident just southeast of Colintravie.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint and includes very degraded maerl bed records in the southeast.

Figure 150. Kyles of Bute proposed PMF management area Option 2
Map shows the area to be protected extending throughout the Kyle, as far as Glaic in the southeast. Maerl bed records exist in the northwest and in the southeastern tip, with blue mussel beds evident just southeast of Colintravie.

20.4.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.5 Loch Long, Upper (Argyll) proposed PMF management area

20.5.1 Description and background

Loch Long, Upper (Argyll) proposed PMF management area covers the waters of Loch Long north of Craggan. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Blue mussel beds;
  • Horse mussel beds; and
  • Maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers.

20.5.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.5.3 Options under consideration

A single management option has been developed for this PMF management area. Only one option was identified due to one of, or combination of, evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations.

No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area.

Figure 151. Loch Long, Upper (Argyll) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area where the measures will apply extending through the upper half of Loch long. Blue mussel beds are evident in the upper third of the area, horse mussel beds are evident in the northern third and the south of the area, and a maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers record is present in the southeast.

20.5.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus.
  • Fishing for any species of sea fish (except herring, mackerel and sprats) from a fishing boat with an overall length not greater than 21.34 metres
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.6 Merkland (Arran) proposed PMF management area

20.6.1 Description and background

Merkland (Arran) proposed PMF management area covers the waters immediately off a stretch of the northeast coast of Arran between Corrie and Brodick. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

20.6.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.6.3 Options under consideration

A single management option has been developed for this PMF management area. Only one option was identified due to one of, or combination of, evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations.

The area was adjusted to incorporate a suitable buffer around the records but still accommodating additional fishing data that was provided.

Figure 152. Merkland (Arran) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area for measures extends along a section of the east coast of Arran, south of Corrie. Maerl bed records are present throughout the area.

20.6.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.7 Sannox (Arran) proposed PMF management area

20.7.1 Description and background

Sannox (Arran) proposed PMF management area protects a small inlet at Sannox and the waters immediately off the adjacent coast. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

20.7.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.7.3 Options under consideration

A single management option has been developed for this PMF management area. Only one option was identified due to one of, or combination of, evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations.

The boundary was reduced to where maerl bed records are located with sufficient buffer. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed management area.

Figure 153. Sannox (Arran) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area to be protected extending out from the small inlet near Sannox. Maerl bed records are present a short way from the coast.

20.7.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.8 Skipness Point (Kintyre) proposed PMF management area

20.8.1 Description and background

Skipness Point (Kintyre) proposed PMF management area covers a 600m long area stretching no more than 800m from the shore to the east of Skipness in Kintyre. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

20.8.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.8.3 Options under consideration

Two options have been developed for this for this PMF management area. Option 1 reflects a smaller footprint that reflects one, or a combination of evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations. Option 2 covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Option 1: This boundary covers a smaller footprint accommodating additional fishing data provided with suitable buffer in place for the maerl beds.

Figure 154. Skipness Point (Kintyre) proposed PMF management area Option 1
Map shows the area for protection extending from Skipness point a short way into the sea. A cluster of Maerl bed records exists in the southeast of the area, at about 10 metres depth.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Figure 155. Skipness Point (Kintyre) proposed PMF management area Option 2
Map shows an area for measures extending from Skipness point into the sea, this option extends slightly deeper in the southeast than option 1. A cluster of Maerl bed records exists in the southeast of the area, at about 10 metres depth.

20.8.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

20.9 Scalpsay Bay, Gallachan Bay, and Stravannan Bay (Bute) proposed PMF management area

20.9.1 Description and background

Scalpsay Bay, Gallachan Bay, and Stravannan Bay (Bute) proposed PMF management area covers a continuous area of the southwestern coast of Bute containing the three named bays. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

20.9.2 Fisheries management measures proposed

PMF management areas will be closed to demersal trawls and seines, beam trawls, mechanical dredges, and hydraulic dredges. This is because the features present in these areas are sensitive to these gear types.

20.9.3 Options under consideration

Two options have been developed for this for this PMF management area. Option 1 reflects a smaller footprint that reflects one, or a combination of evidence (fishing activity or PMF related), boundary setting principles and compliance considerations. Option 2 covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection.

Option 1: This boundary covers a smaller footprint. This reflects more closely the depths suitable for maerl beds in the north of the area and accommodates additional fishing data provided with suitable buffers around maerl bed records.

Figure 156. Scalpsay Bay, Gallachan Bay, and Stravannan Bay (Bute) proposed PMF management area Option 1
Map shows a continuous area stretching a short way from the coast running from the western edge of Scalpsay bay to the southern edge of Stravanan bay. Four maerl bed records are found across the area.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection around the most westerly maerl bed record.

Figure 157. Scalpsay Bay, Gallachan Bay, and Stravannan Bay (Bute) proposed PMF management area Option 2
Map shows the area to be protected extending from the waters south of Ardscalpsie down to Stravanan bay. This area extends slightly further into the sea west of Scalpsay bay than option 1. Four maerl bed records are found across the area.

20.9.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. An effort has been made to identify existing measures which affect each individual site or area, however the list may not be exhaustive. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Fishing for sea fish with mobile or active gear prohibited from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday
  • Otherwise than in accordance with a written permission granted by the King's harbour master, no person shall dredge in the dockyard port with drags, hooks, nets or other apparatus
  • Fishing for sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

Contact

Email: marine_biodiversity@gov.scot

Back to top