Fishing - managed areas

What is it: 

The various layers show areas which are subject to fishing restrictions or closures (either all year or seasonal) for one of a number of reasons: closed to all fishing; species restrictions; gear restrictions (static and mobile); vessel size / capacity restrictions.

Some of these restrictions are also included on the UK fishing restrictions from Kingfisher. 

Links to Scotland's Marine Atlas: 
Chapter 5: Fishing
Data originators: 
Scottish Government (Marine Directorate)
This information page is part of the theme: 
Fishery Management Information
Montage of all layers to show various fishing restrictions © Marine Scotland
More Information: 

Further information about fishing management can be found on the Marine Scotland web site.

When a layer is displayed, metadata details about the areas can be accessed. Click the 'Feature Information' button in the main NMPI tool bar. Left click on the fishery managed area of interest and the 'Feature Information' box will display. Expand the tree in the left hand side and the available attributes will display on the right. Among these you will find a web link to more details. The links will either take the user to the specific article within the legislation (if available) or links to a PDF version of the Act/Order/Regulation.

The ‘fishing management areas’ layers include some areas of non-Scottish waters where the management areas overlap both Scottish and non-Scottish waters as one area or there is a distinct link with an area in Scottish waters. The layers should not be interpreted as showing all fishery managed areas for non-Scottish waters.

This page was last modified on : 
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 - 11:46

Links and Resources

Map Type Click title for metadata and licence informationsort descending Date of data View Map
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where ALL FISHING is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing BY HAND is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing is allowed by NON-UK vessels within Scottish waters - foreign fishing rights in coastal waters and the Faroes Special Area 2023-03-16 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of BASS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of BLUE LING is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of HERRING is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of HORSE MUSSELS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of KING SCALLOPS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of QUEEN SCALLOPS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of RAZOR CLAMS (Ensis spp.) is authorised for scientific purposes 2022-02-03 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing of SANDEELS is restricted 2023-03-16 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with (STATIC) HOOKS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with BOTTOM CONTACTING MOBILE GEAR is prohibited or not practical 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with BOTTOM TRAWLS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with CREELS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with DREDGES is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with GILLNETS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with PELAGIC TRAWLS is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with SUCTION DREDGES is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing with vessels over a certain LENGTH is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Areas where fishing/harvesting of COCKLES is restricted 2024-02-22 Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi) Regulating and Several Orders for shellfish 2019-08-18 Access this map on NMPi
Type Title External link
Web link UK Fishing Restrictions from Kingfisher kingfisherrestrictions.org
Web link Marine Scotland - Fisheries www.gov.scot
Web link EU - Fisheries ec.europa.eu
Web link Marine Scotland - Managing fish stocks www.gov.scot