Fishing - pelagic quota cuts 2026: island communities impact assessment

Step Three - Consultation

Is there are information already gathered through previous engagements?

Yes. There is extensive information gathered from a previous consultation exercise and subsequent policy reviews. This includes:

• Responses from the 2017 Scottish Government consultation on amending the economic link licence condition, which explored impacts on catching businesses, processors, ports, and island communities.
• Evidence compiled through Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) and Island Communities Impact Assessment undertaken as part of that process.
• Data analysis from the Marine Analytical Unit, including historical landings patterns and economic modelling.
• A review of the Amended Economic Link licence condition
• Engagement with industry stakeholders during the phased implementation of the amended economic link provisions (2023–2025).

This evidence base provides a strong foundation for the current assessment and ensures that stakeholder views and operational realities have been considered throughout policy development.

How will you carry out your consultation and in what timescales?

Public meetings/ Local Authorities/key Stakeholders

The consultation window has been limited due to the urgency created by the ICES-recommended quota reductions for 2026 and associated TAC restrictions. These proposed cuts—particularly in mackerel—pose immediate and significant risks to Scotland’s pelagic sector, requiring accelerated policy development to assess whether intervention is necessary and in the public interest.

Despite the compressed timeframe, engagement has taken place with key stakeholders to ensure views are captured:

• Pelagic processors – Direct discussions with major processing facilities in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, and Shetland to understand concerns about reduced throughput and potential impacts on jobs and investment.
• Catching sector representatives – Meetings with vessel owners and industry bodies to hear strong opposition from some businesses to any additional landing requirements, citing risks to operational flexibility and viability.
• Ports – Engagement on infrastructure capacity and potential bottlenecks if landings shift back to Scotland.