Fishing - Scottish Economic Link licence condition: guidance
Information about the amended Scottish Economic Link licence condition (effective from 1 January 2026).
In January 2025, we amended the economic link licence conditions to increase landings of 8 key species into Scotland. We have reviewed these landing percentages and consulted with stakeholders.
Following scientific advice and international negotiations between coastal states, there will be significant reductions to the total allowable catch (TAC) for mackerel and herring in 2026. These reductions will help protect these fish stocks and ensure a continued sustainable supply for the domestic fishing and processing industry.
The amended licence condition comes into effect on 1 January 2026. If you have a vessel over 10 metres in length that lands fish outside Scotland, you need to know about these changes.
What economic link arrangements are
Since 1999, all commercial fishing vessels over 10 metres in length landing certain species must meet specific requirements. These requirements show the vessel has an economic link to the United Kingdom.
Summary of the changes
From 1 January 2026:
- only vessels with a registered length over 10 metres are required to meet economic link arrangements
- the arrangements cover 8 key species: herring, mackerel, Nephrops, haddock, monkfish, cod, hake and whiting - these account for 90% of the value of total landings by Scottish vessels of TAC stocks
- vessels over 10 metres are eligible if they land more than 10 tonnes of the 8 key species in any calendar year
- there are now only 2 ways to satisfy economic link requirements:
- land the required tonnage of key species into Scotland
- provide "quota gifts" to the Scottish Government
- the landings target for demersal and shellfish stocks remains at 55%
- separately, the landings target for pelagic species (mackerel and herring) increases to 70% individually
Read more about quota gifting in the September 2022 consultation outcome report.
Please contact accesstoseafisheries@gov.scot if you have any questions.
Warning
The policy will be kept under review and may be amended if required.