Fishing - Scottish Economic Link licence condition: guidance

In September 2022 the Scottish Government announced that it would strengthen the Economic Link licence condition so that it delivered more benefits to Scotland and its fisheries-dependent areas.

The Scottish licence condition now covers the eight most important species, by landed value, landed into Scotland. These are herring, mackerel, nephrops, haddock, anglerfish, cod, hake and whiting (“the 8 key species”) and these account for 90% of the value of total landings by Scottish vessels of species managed by Total Allowable Catch (TAC).

Full implementation of the Economic Link for Scottish fishing vessels in 2025

All Scottish administered vessels over 10 metres in length, which land over 10 tonnes of the 8 key species, must meet one of two criteria for fulfilling the Economic Link requirements: 

(1) Land at least 55% (by weight) of their total combined landings of the 8 key species (cod, haddock, whiting, hake, anglerfish, Nephrops, herring and mackerel) into Scotland. This is what is described as the ‘Landings Target’ element of economic link. So, for any over 10 metre vessel, if they land more than 10 tonnes of the species covered (cod, haddock, whiting, hake, anglerfish, Nephrops, herring and mackerel) at least 55% must be into Scotland. 

(2) Return quota in the following calendar year equivalent to 26% of the lost value to Scotland as a result of not reaching the 55% target. Essentially, vessels are required to return the difference between the tonnage of the key species landed and the 55% landings target threshold. So, if a vessels total combined landings of the eight key species into Scotland is 50%, their shortfall amount is 5%. The vessel in question would therefore be required to provide a quota gift equivalent to 26% of the value of the 5% shortfall . 

The 55% threshold is calculated on a vessel’s total landings of all the key species combined in the calendar year. It does not mean that landings for each indiviudal species must be 55% or higher. 

The requirement for the 8 key species will continue to apply in subsequent years. For more information, read the consultation outcome report and other documentation associated with the policy change .

Please contact accesstoseafisheries@gov.scot if you have any questions. 

2024 arrangements

From 1 January 2024 all Scottish administered vessels over 10m in length which landed over 10 tonnes of the noted species must meet either of the following obligations:

1. a) Land more than 55% of cod, haddock, whiting, hake, anglerfish & nephrops (combined) in the period 1 January - 31 December 2024 into a Scottish port.

1. b) Land more than 40%, of herring and mackerel (combined) in the period 1 January - 31 December 2024 into a Scottish port.

2. Return quota in the following calendar year equivalent to 26% of the lost value to Scotland.

A table of the vessels not meeting obligation 1(a) or 1(b) in 2024 and the quotas recovered (in 2025) will be published (on this page) after March 2025. The quota recovery information will be updated as the process progresses.

A review of compliance with the 2023 Economic Link licence condition

From 1 January 2023 all Scottish administered vessels over 10m in length which landed over 10 tonnes of the noted species must have meet either of the following obligations:

1. a) Land more than 55% of cod, haddock, whiting, hake, anglerfish & nephrops (combined) in the period 1 January - 31 December 2023 into a Scottish port.

1. b) Land more than 30%, of herring and mackerel (combined) in the period 1 January - 31 December 2023 into a Scottish port.

2. Return quota in the following calendar year equivalent to 26% of the lost value to Scotland.

Vessels which did not meet 1(a) or 1(b) in 2023

A10105	NORTHERN STAR
A10184	PROVIDER
A10188	CHARMEL
A11754	ACIONNA
A13160	TAHUME
A16740	ESPEMAR DOS
B11132	WAKEFUL
B13488	ANNEGINA
B13827	ALBION
C17307	SPARKLING STAR IV
C17805	QUO VADIS
C19630	PATRICIA MARTA
C20043	MIKKEL LOUISE
C20104	ISLA S
C20259	NEREUS
C20969	HENK SENIOR
C21237	NEELTJE
C21269	GOOD HOPE

Aggregated quotas recovered in 2024 from vessels not meeting the minimum landing requirements to fulfil the Economic Link licence condition in 2023

Stock	Quota recovered (tonnes)
NS cod	29.6
NS haddock	13.2
NS nephrops	27.9
NS plaice	10.8
NS skate and rays	11.8
NS whiting	17.6
NS witch	2