Marine and fisheries compliance: legislation

Many of the marine and fisheries laws in Scotland came into force under EU legislation, when the UK was a Member State of the European Union. Legislation that has been retained in Scotland is referred to as ‘assimilated’ law. 

Those Instruments made under the Fisheries Act 1981, the Fishery Limits Act 1976 and the European Communities Act 1972, deal primarily with assimilated European-derived matters. The other Instruments listed under other Acts deal in the main with national measures.

Consideration of the relevant Statutory Instrument alone may not be enough to understand what you must do to comply with the requirements. The detail of assimilated European requirements that can be found in the corresponding Community legislation in the form of a Council or Commission regulation is not normally repeated in the statutory instrument, which will generally only create the associated offences, penalties and enforcement powers.

The details of the titles of Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSI) under which we operate are available. Copies of National Legislation are also available.

Alternatively, our Officers will be happy to provide advice and guidance on regulatory requirements tailored to your particular needs through our Fishery Office network.