Proposed site-specific management measures for NCMPAs that informed Option 1

1. Proposed site-specific management measures for Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs) that informed Option 1 - Proposed Fisheries Management Measures for Inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) Management Areas in Scottish Waters Consultation - 2026 

The proposed fisheries management measures have been developed individually for each designation, Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACS) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) using the best available scientific evidence on the potential impacts of different types of fishinggear on protected features. The development of these measures involved significant engagement with stakeholders, including the fishing industry and environmental organisations. NCMPAs, SACs and SPAs can be collectively referred to as MPAs. The public consultation on proposed fisheries management measures includes 76 inshore MPAs, forming a key part of the collaborative policy development process. 

The following data has been made available: Proposed site-specific management measures for NCMPAs that informed Option 1 - Proposed Fisheries Management Measures for Inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) Management Areas in Scottish Waters Consultation - 2026 

NCMPAs are sites within the marine environment, designated under sections 67 and 68 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, aimed at conserving marine biodiversity, protecting vulnerable species, habitats, and geological features. The sites have been designated following MPA selection guidelines and assigned site specific conservation objectives.   

The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 provides for the designation of NCMPAs in Scottish inshore waters.  

These site-specific management measures may differ from site information in the consultation documentation and on the consultation platform. We have amalgamated some proposed overlapping measures into the MPA maps and highlighted where other possible overlapping measures for specific gear types may occur. When looking at sites individually, where there is an overlap for specific gear types, it  would be the highest proposed measure that would apply in the overlapping area.