Marine Protected Areas and priority marine features management in Scottish waters: social impacts research

3 Context for each location

This section provides a summary of the socio-economic context for each location, Further details/data are provided in Appendix.5.0.

3.1 Peterhead

Peterhead has the biggest fishing port in the UK in terms of landings and is one of the biggest in Europe, with turnover of over £200 million and 166 thousand tonnes in 2002. Peterhead port has a commercial fish market and offers services and facilities such as vessel maintenance (including ship lifts, painting, net fixing), and nearby fish processing businesses. 20% of the town’s population is employed in manufacturing, compared to 13.8% for Aberdeenshire as a whole^[17]. Total employment in fishing is 399^[18], and there is additional employment in land-side operations including processing, distribution and port services. Peterhead does not have any major tourist attractions and has a small tourism industry, relative to the size and importance of the port.

3.2 Lerwick

Lerwick, Shetland has a population of about 7,500 people (with almost half of Shetland’s ~23,000 population living within 10 miles of the Lerwick) and has a busy fishing and ferry port. Lerwick harbour is a key part of Shetland’s economy as the island’s main commercial port. The harbour operates year-round and handles over 5,000 vessels. In Shetland, the total employment in fishing was 534 in 2020^[19]. Lerwick is also popular with tourists as it is a common stop on northern cruise routes.

3.3 Troon

Troon, South Ayrshire, is a popular coastal town with a well-known golf course and beach with a population of 14,680^[20]. It has a harbour and port with freight services and a yacht marina. Troon harbour is home to the main fish market in the south-west of Scotland. In South Ayrshire, the total employment in fishing was 216 in 2020^[21]. This local authority employs 5,000 in tourism-related industries and is an important tourist destination renowned for its beaches.

3.4 Oban

Oban, Argyll and Bute, is a large town with a residential population of 8,060^[22]. During peak tourism season the total population can be over 20,000. The harbour town is known as the seafood capital of Scotland and “gateway to the isles” and draws in many tourists for this reason. Oban has 200 people employed in fishing industry^[23].

3.5 Ullapool

Ullapool, Northwest Highlands, is an historic fishing village and tourist destination with a population of about 1,500 in 2016^[24]. Ullapool port is used as a fishing and ferry port and is well connected to Stornoway. Ullapool employed 186 people in fishing 2020.

3.6 Western Isles

Stornoway

Stornoway, Lewis, is a town with a population of about 7,000 0^[25]. It has an important port and administrative centre for the Outer Hebrides^[26], and has a ferry link with Ullapool. It is known for its naturally sheltered harbour which acts as the economic centre for the island^[27]. The total employment in fishing in the local authority area was 327 in 2020^[28]. Tourism also contributes to Stornoway’s economy^[29].

Barra

Barra is an island in the Outer Hebrides with a population of about 1,000. It is a popular tourist destination with thousands of visitors annually^[30]. Barra also hosts a fish and shellfish processing company. Many people in Barra are involved in fishing, often alongside other activities or types of employment (Barra workshop).