Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 (SSI 2025/240)

Overview

The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is scrutinising the Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025.

The Committee agreed to issue a short call for views before formally considering the instrument in October 2025.

About this call for views

Following the Scottish Government’s public consultation with stakeholders, it laid the Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 on 1 September 2025.

The policy note states that this Order would introduce site specific fisheries management measures in 10 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and nine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) located in the Scottish offshore region (12–200 nautical miles). The MPAs and SACs affected by the regulations are listed in the policy note. In five areas, restrictions would apply to specified fishing gear across the whole area while, in the other 14, restrictions would apply in designated zones within each area.

Under the Conservation of Offshore Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, Scottish Ministers must take measures necessary to meet the conservation objectives of each SAC, ensuring the needs of the designated habitats and species are supported.

Under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, Scottish Ministers must ensure that any actions affecting an MPA either support its conservation objectives or, if that is not possible, minimally hinder them.

Purpose of the Order

The Order restricts certain fishing methods like bottom towed gear, bottom set nets and lines, and traps in specific offshore MPAs and SACs. These measures aim to safeguard sensitive marine habitats and species from the adverse effects of such fishing activities.

The policy note states these management measures are tailored to the specific needs of each MPA and SAC. Restrictions may apply to the entire site or only to zones with sensitive features, allowing other fishing elsewhere.

For some sites, buffer zones have already been established to prevent damage from nearby fishing activities. These zones extend beyond the immediate boundaries of MPAs and SACs, ensuring that even areas outside the core protected zones benefit from reduced fishing pressures.

Making a submission

Before making a submission, please read our privacy notice about submitting your views to a committee. This tells you about how we process personal data.

Please note that, in most cases, your submission will be published on the Scottish Parliament's website and may be quoted in the Committee's report or in committee meetings (which are public and broadcast).  You should contact the Committee in advance of making a submission if you don’t want it published.

Your views

What are your views on the Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025?

The call for views closes on Friday 12 September 2025.