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

24. Proposed PMF management areas in the Shetland Isles marine region

24.1 Back of Ollaberry, Yell Sound (Shetland)

24.1.1Description and background

Back of Ollaberry, Yell Sound (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers a small area of waters at the tip of the peninsula just north of Ollaberry. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Horse mussel beds

24.1.2 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.

24.1.3 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.

This was developed to include known horse mussel bed records and to accommodate additional fishing data provided.

Figure 202. Back of Ollaberry, Yell Sound (Shetland) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area to be protected extending from the headland at Back of Ollaberry, Yell out into the sea. There is 1 horse mussel record just before the 20m depth contour of the area.

24.1.4 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 sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

24.2 Busta Voe (Shetland)

24.2.1 Description and background

Busta Voe (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers the waters of Busta Voe, Olna Firth, and Gon Firth and the waters surrounding Linga. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Horse mussel beds

24.2.2 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.

24.2.3 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.

There are records included in Option 2 that are not included in Option 1 due to the age of the records. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area.

Option 1: Developed around records with newer dates. Is larger than, but includes SSMO closures.

Figure 203. Busta Voe (Shetland) proposed PMF management area Option 1
Map shows the area to be protected extending from the Voe-head on the West to a headland. There are 5 records for horse mussel. One near the voe-head and 4 others near the headland where the protected area stops.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection and includes older records.

Figure 204. Busta Voe (Shetland) proposed PMF management area Option 2
Map shows the area to be protected extending from the Voe-head to just beyond a large skerry. There are 11 records for horse mussel. 5 records in the west section, 1 in the east and 4 around the large skerry.

24.2.4 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:

  • Under the Shetland Regulating Order scallop dredging prohibited in part of the area
  • 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

24.3 Lunna Ness, North (Shetland)

24.3.1 Description and background*

Lunna Ness, North (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers a small area of waters on the north coast of Lunna Ness. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

There are also maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumber records present, but they were not a focus for this area selection.

*This proposed PMF management area overlaps with the Yell Sound Coast SAC and East Mainland Coast, Shetland SPA.

24.3.2 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.

This PMF management area overlaps with management measures being consulted on for East Mainland Coast SPA for set nets (including fyke nets) and Yell Sound Coast SAC for set nets (including fyke nets) and pelagic seine (including ring-nets) which are not shown in the map below.

Please check overlapping site map option(s) to see static and pelagic gear measures.

24.3.3 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.

This was developed to encompass known records and the depth preferences of maerl in Shetland and to accommodate additional fishing data provided.

Figure 205. Lunna Ness, North (Shetland) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area to be protected extending from the north-west coast of Luna Ness out into the sea. There are 7 maerl records and 2 maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumber records spread throughout area between 20 and 40 meter depth contours.

24.3.4 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 sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

24.4 Linga Sound (Shetland)

24.4.1 Description and background

Linga Sound (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers an area on the southern portion of the east coast of West Linga. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Horse mussel beds

24.4.2 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.

24.4.3 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.

The boundary was drawn around the majority of known horse mussel bed records at the time of the areas were being finalised for consultation. We are aware there are additional horse mussel bed records to the south of the area that were part of North Atlantic Fisheries College (NAFC) Marine Centre University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Shetland survey in 2019 but were not in GeMS when areas were developed.

Figure 206. Linga Sound (Shetland) proposed PMF management
Map shows the area for measures extending from the southern portion of the east coast of Linga into the sound between Linga and Whalsay. There are three groups of horse mussel bed records. One group in the south portion of the area, one group in the centre and one group in the north.

24.4.4 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 sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

24.5 Lunning Sound (Shetland)

24.5.1 Description and background

Lunning Sound (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers an area of waters between the islets in Lunning Sound between the Shetland mainland and West Linga. This area has been selected to protect:

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

24.5.2 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.

24.5.3 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.

The boundary was drawn around known maerl bed records. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area. The boundary matches the existing SSMO closure.

Figure 207. Lunning Sound (Shetland) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area for measures covering an area of relatively open water between West Linga and Mainland, and Little Linga and Ketill Holm. Maerl and maelr or corse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumber records are present throughout the area

24.5.4 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:

  • Under the Shetland Regulating Order scallop dredging prohibited in the area
  • 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

24.6 Papa, North (Shetland)

24.6.1 Description and background

Papa, North (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers a patch of water just north of Papa, to the west of the Shetland mainland. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

24.6.2 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.

24.6.3 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 boundary was drawn around known maerl bed records. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area.

Figure 208. Papa, North (Shetland) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area to be protected in open sea just of the north east coast of West Papa Head. There are 25 maerl records spread throughout the small area.

24.6.4 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 sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

24.7 Quey Firth (Shetland)

24.7.1 Description and background

Quey Firth (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers a small patch of water at the northern end of the mouth of the Quey firth. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Horse mussel beds

24.7.2 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.

24.7.3 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 drawn around known horse mussel bed records. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area. The area overlaps with an existing SSMO closure.

Figure 209. Quey Firth (Shetland) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area to be extending southeast from the headland at Ness of Quey Firth out into the sea. Horse mussel records are evident in the centre of the area.

24.7.4 Other fisheries management measures currently applying to this area

There are already management measures in place. These measures are outlined below, and the proposals for further management being consulted on now are in addition to these existing measures:

  • Under the Shetland Regulating Order scallop dredging prohibited in the area
  • 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

24.8 Whalsay, South-West (Shetland)

24.8.1 Description and background

Whalsay, South-West (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers a small patch of waters southwest of Symbister on Whalsay. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Horse mussel beds

24.8.2 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.

24.8.3 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 drawn around known horse mussel bed records. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area.

Figure 210. Whalsay, South-West (Shetland) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area to be protected in open sea off the south-west coast of Whalsay Island. There are four records for horse mussel beds. Three spread in the middle of the area and one in the southern portion.

24.8.4 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 sandeel is prohibited within the Scottish zone, which is defined as the sea adjacent to Scotland up to the 200 nautical miles limit

24.9 Wadbister Voe (Shetland)

24.9.1 Description and background*

Wadbister Voe (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers the entirety of Wadbister Voe on the Shetland mainland. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Maerl beds

*This proposed PMF management area overlaps with the East Mainland Coast, Shetland SPA.

24.9.2 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.

This PMF management area overlaps with management measures being consulted on for East Mainland Coast SPA for set nets (including fyke nets) which are not shown in the maps below.

Please check overlapping site map option(s) to see static gear measures.

24.9.3 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 offer improved protection.

There is a maerl bed record included in Option 2 but not included in Option 1 as it is an older record from 1986. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management areas.

Option 1: Developed around more recent records, incorporates the SSMO closure, extending slightly to the south-east.

Figure 211. Wadbister Voe (Shetland) proposed PMF management area Option 1
Map shows the area to be protected, a square at the mouth of Wadbister Voe in the open sea. There are 2 maerl records clustered together in the centre of the protected area.

Option 2: This boundary covers a larger footprint that offers improved protection and includes an older record.

Figure 212. Wadbister Voe (Shetland) proposed PMF management area Option 2
Map shows the area to be protected extending from the Voe-head at Wadbister to the mouth of the Voe. There are 3 maerl records clustered together at the mouth of the voe.

24.9.4 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:

  • Under the Shetland Regulating Order scallop dredging prohibited in part of the area
  • 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

24.10 West Mainland Voes (Shetland)

24.10.1 Description and background

West Mainland Voes (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers three distinct areas: the waters of Sandsound and Whiteness Voes, as well as an area to the southeast of Fore Holm. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Blue mussel beds;
  • Horse mussel beds; and
  • Seagrass beds

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

24.10.2 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.

24.10.3 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.

This covers three discrete locations with some overlaps with current SSMO closures. Amendments were made based on stakeholder feedback and NatureScot advice from what was a bigger area in 2018. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area.

We are aware there are additional horse mussel records outside the area by the Fore Holm area but these were not in GeMS when the areas were drawn. There are also the three horse mussel bed records at Stromness Voe but these are older records (1986, 1987 and 1974) and were not included.

Figure 213. West Mainland Voes (Shetland) proposed PMF management area*
Map shows three discrete areas for measures: The interior of Sandsound Voe with its outer boundary east of Sand, a small square patch just east of Fore Holm, and the innermost portion of Whiteness Voe with its outer boundary just south of Otter Holm. There is a bue mussel bed record in the north of the Sandsound Voe area east of Bixter, and two horse mussel records within the narrow portion leading out of the Voe. A concentration of seagrass beds exists within the Whiteness Voe area. A group of horse mussel records is present in the small square patch just east of Fore Holm.

*There are blue mussel bed records obscured by the cluster of seagrass bed records in Whiteness Voe

24.10.4 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:

  • Under the Shetland Regulating Order scallop dredging prohibited in part of the area
  • 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

24.11 West Voe, East Burra (Shetland)

24.11.1 Description and background

West Voe, East Burra (Shetland) proposed PMF management area covers the waters of West Voe on East Burra as far south as Papil and Houss. This area has been selected to protect:

  • Seagrass beds

24.11.2 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.

24.11.3 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.

This area incorporates two SSMO closures which cover the seagrass bed records. No additional fishing data were provided within the proposed PMF management area.

Figure 214. West Voe, East Burra (Shetland) proposed PMF management area
Map shows the area to be protected extending from the West Voe-head to past a skerry. There is one seagrass record by the skerry and another at the voe-head.

24.11.4 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:

  • Under the Shetland Regulating Order scallop dredging prohibited in part of the area
  • 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