Chamber and committees

In line with Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Scottish Government is committed to managing our fisheries to ensure sustainability, promote inclusive economic growth and protect biological diversity and marine ecosystems.

Article 17 states that Member states shall use “transparent and objective criteria including those of an environmental, social and economic nature ” when allocating fishing opportunities. It goes on to set out the criteria Member States may include: “the impact of fishing on the environment, the history of compliance, the contribution to the local economy and historic catch levels.”

In Scotland, fishing opportunities for vessels targeting stocks allocated via Total Allowable Catch are largely allocated based on historical catch levels (through the number of Fixed Quota Allocation units for each species associated with fishing licences). Information on who holds Scottish FQAs can be found in the FQA Register .

There are occasions where we do allocate quota differently, particularly to allow additional opportunities for small scale fishermen such as the Scottish under 10 handline mackerel fishery. In this instance, Marine Scotland centrally manages quota opportunities available to all Scottish under 10 metre vessels. This opportunity is particularly important for vessels based on our east coast and Northern Isles, during the summer and autumn months.

Quota is not the only type of fishing right. Many important stocks targeted by small scale fishers are non-quota stocks, such as: scallops, crabs and lobsters. We have in recent years strengthened management arrangements for these key fisheries. For example, suspending the right of certain vessels over 10 metres in length to fish for king scallops by mechanical dredge and introducing new restrictions on dredge use in Scottish waters.